mAnaging siCkle CELl disEase Through incReased AdopTion of hydroxyurEa in Nigeria

Large knowledge gaps remain regarding strategies to promote the adoption of hydroxyurea (HU), particularly in sub-Saharan African countries including Nigeria, where more than 75% of annual sickle cell anemia births occur. The vast majority of people with SCD in Africa do not receive evidenced-based health care (e.g., newborn screening, health education, prophylaxis for infection, optimal nutrition and hydration, blood transfusion, transcranial Doppler screening, and HU therapy), despite its effectiveness in reducing SCD-related adverse outcomes and mortality. The use of HU in SSA is \

Inclusion Criteria: * SCD patients18 years older that have provided consent; * Pediatric SCD patients aged 12 months to 17 years with an accompanying guardian and have provided informed consent or assent; * Registration in the electronic medical records (EMR) database with clinical charts and received care at the local clinical sites or health facilities and not on HU therapy; * Hb Genotype: SCD-SS, SCD-Sβo thal, SCD-SOArab (On a case by case basis, a severely affected person with SCD-SC may be offered HU therapy under a modified treatment protocol) Exclusion Criteria: * Any SCD patient not registered in the EMR database without informed consent or assent; * Physically unable to participate in study activities; * An SCD patient on HU