Level of Utilization and Provider-Related Barriers to Hydroxyurea Use in the Treatment of Sickle Cell Disease in Jos, Nigeria

Background: Hydroxyurea is one of the currently approved medications capable of modifying the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD), and its use has transformed the management of this disease worldwide.However, available evidences suggest that hydroxyurea is underutilized by sickle cell health-c...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Blood 2019-11, Vol.134 (Supplement_1), p.1029-1029
Main Authors: Ofakunrin, Akinyemi Olugbenga David, Adekola, Kehinde, Okpe, Edache Sylvanus, Oguche, Stephen, Afolaranmi, Tolulope, Kanhu, Patience, Dami, Nantok, Sagay, Atiene Solomon
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Background: Hydroxyurea is one of the currently approved medications capable of modifying the pathogenesis of sickle cell disease (SCD), and its use has transformed the management of this disease worldwide.However, available evidences suggest that hydroxyurea is underutilized by sickle cell health-care providers in Nigeria despite the huge burden of the disease. Objectives: This study assessed the level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in the treatment of SCD patients in Jos, Nigeria. Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 132 medical doctors providing care for SCD patients in four tertiary hospitals in Jos using a multistage sampling technique. In this setting, SCD patients are cared for by the Hematologists, Pediatricians, Family Physicians and General Practitioners. Data on socio-demographics of the respondents, knowledge, utilization and barriers to the utilization of hydroxyurea were obtained using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The data were processed and analysed using SPSS version 23. Hydroxyurea was adjudged utilized if a provider has prescribed hydroxyurea to any SCD patient within the last 12 months. Chi square test was used to test the association between the demographic, provider-related barrier variables and the level of utilization of hydroxyurea. The barriers were fed cumulatively into logistic regression model as predictors of utilization of hydroxyurea. Adjusted odds ratio and 95% confidence interval were used as point and interval estimates respectively. A P-value of
ISSN:0006-4971
1528-0020
DOI:10.1182/blood-2019-128185