Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: Study of Medical Specialty Students

Authors

  • Mahmoud Abdel Hameed Shahin Associate Professor in Medical-Surgical and Critical Care Nursing, Nursing Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5145-3702
  • Fatmah Mohammed Alhussain Lecturer in Respiratory Therapy Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia Author
  • Sheren Nashaat Alridi Lecturer in Respiratory Therapy Department, Mohammed Al-Mana College for Medical Sciences, Dammam, Saudi Arabia Author
  • Abdulaziz Sughayir Salem Alyami Lecturer of Anatomy and Physiology, Basic Science Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Science, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/saludcyt2024.958

Keywords:

Eastern Region, Knowledge, Medical Specialties, Saudi Arabia, Sickle Cell Disease, Students

Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a major health challenge in Saudi Arabia due to its high prevalence, and healthcare providers play a key role in reducing the prevalence of this genetic disorder.
Objective: To assess awareness and knowledge of SCD among medical specialty students in various medical programs and to explore its differences based on the sociodemographics of participants.
Methods: The study included a cross-sectional survey of 302 medical students across different years of study at Medical College in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire developed based on a literature review. Descriptive analysis using SPSS V 26 and inferential analyses were utilized.
Results: While 61.6% of participants felt they had sufficient SCD information, only 45% had previously received SCD education or awareness training. Only 6.6% reported experiencing college problems due to SCD. Most participants demonstrated good knowledge of SCD's cause, transmission, prevention, and diagnosis. However, fewer were aware of risk factors for children of carriers (6.6%), the disease's prevalence in Saudi Arabia (45%), or the possibility of curing SCD through stem cell transplant (49.7%). The study found married respondents were more aware of SCD than single or divorced students. 
Conclusion: While medical students grasp SCD basics, more targeted educational initiatives are needed, especially around risk factors and prevalence, to enhance awareness and control the high SCD rate in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the eastern region where it is most common. Expanding SCD education programs in medical institutions could improve future providers' knowledge

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Published

2024-09-09

How to Cite

1.
Hameed Shahin MA, Alhussain FM, Alridi SN, Alyami ASS. Awareness of Sickle Cell Disease in the Eastern Region of Saudi Arabia: Study of Medical Specialty Students. Salud, Ciencia y Tecnología [Internet]. 2024 Sep. 9 [cited 2024 Oct. 14];4:.958. Available from: https://sct.ageditor.ar/index.php/sct/article/view/958