STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF SICKLE CELL DISEASES ON CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS AND ADULTS CASE STUDY OF HADEJIA GENERAL HOSPITAL (FROM JANUARY, 2018 - JUNE, 2023).

CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction

Sickle Cells die sooner than healthy cells. Normally the spleen help filter infection out of the blood. But sickle cells get stuck in this filter and die. Having fewer healthy red blood cells causes anemia. The spleen without a healthy spleen, children are more at risk for serious infections.

There are several complex types of the sickle cell gene. Some don’t cause symptoms or several problems, but others do. Talk to your child’s health care provider about the specific form of sickle cell your child has.

Most children with SCD will start showing symptoms during the first year of the around 5 months.

Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder of the hemoglobin in blood that has a worldwide impact on health and longevity. Sickle cell disease is characterized by lifelong hemolytic anemia and a wide variety of painful and debilitating verso-occlusive event it  occurs in 70,000 to 80,000  of African Mediterranean or middle eastern.

In some countries the life expectancy for patient with sickle cell diseases is shortened by about 30 years while in African where comprehensive medical care is less available death in early childhood is usual in Nigeria the incidence 1-2% of the population.

Medical advance in management of sickle cell disease has led to significant increase in life expectancy of this group of patients. Improved public health neonatal screening parental and patient education advances in red cell transfusion medicine iron chelating therapy for all likely contributed to this effect of longevity.

Sickle cell disease understandably concerns millions of Africans in Nigeria there is no doubt  that prevalence of the condition is increasing especially among urban education elite and in other communities with access to effective basic health care. There is however a palpable lack of information and education about disorder within our communities. This will increase prevalence has encouraged the growth of myths miss information in appropriate treatment frustration and stigmatization. The frustration has kindled the desire in many Africans to do something about sickle cell disorder.

1.2 Historical background of the study

Linus Pauling and colleagues were the first, 1949, to demonstrate that sickle cell disease occurs as a result of an abnormality in the red blood cell. This historical finding was the first time a genetic disease was linked to a mutation of a specific protein.

Despite the high burden of sickle cell diseases (SCD) in Nigeria the underlying haemoglobinopathy profile remain uncertain. Although a number of urbanized area have hospital-based newborn screening programs, the impact of the diseases in rural area is unknown.

1.3 Statement of the problem

Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic disease that has a debilitating affection on individual life if not properly managed. Patients with sickle cell disease can experience a range of conditions and complications. Here are some common ones:

i. Sickle cell crises: These are episodes of severe pain that can occur in different parts of the body, such as the bones, joints, chest, or abdomen. The crises can be triggered by various factors like stress, dehydration, or infection.

ii. Anemia sickle cell disease: Can lead to chronic anemia, where there is a decrease in the number of healthy red blood cells. This can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of  breath.

iii. Acute Chest Syndrome: It is a serious complication of sickle cell disease, characterized by chest pain, fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. It may be caused by infection, blood clots, or blocked blood vessels in the lungs.

iv. Stroke: The abnormal sickle-shaped red blood cells can block blood flow to the brain, leading to a stroke. This can cause neurological damage, paralysis, or even.

1.4 Aim and objectives

The aim of the study is to analyse data on cases of sickle cell disease of recorded in Hadejia general hospital from January 2018 to June 2023. The aim can be achieved through the following objectives:

1.To determine whether sickle cell cases depend on gender

2.To determine whether  sickle cell  cases depend on age group.

3.To fit linear model and forecast for July to December 2023.

1.5 Significance of the study

The research is significant to the hospital management of Hadejia general hospital to measure their performance competence and possible ways of improving their service with regard to sickle cell disease. The research is also important to the entire community of Hadejia local government to know the preventive measures and the rate of sickle cell disease in their population. This research with also benefit the sickle cell organization of Hadejia local government area and Nigeria at large.

1.6 Scope and limitation of the study

The scope of this research will cover the data of sickle cell disease cases recorded at Hadejia general hospital the data will be used to carry out the statistical analysis for the purpose of this research. Therefore we only consider the record patient reported to the Hadejia general hospital.

1.7 Research hypothesis

Ho:  sickle cell cases depend on gender and age group.

H1:  sickle cell cases does not  depend on gender and age group.

1.8 Definition of the terms

W.H.O - World Health Organizational

H.B    - Hemoglobin

N.S.A.I.D- Non steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

S.C.A -   Sickle Cell Anemia

S.C.T   -   Sickle Cell Trait

W.H.O: World Health Organization is specialized agency of the United Nation that is concerned with international public health. It was established on 7^th April, 1948, and is headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland its predecessor, the Health Organization, was an agency of the league of nation.

H.B: Hemoglobin: is a protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body’s tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissue back to the lungs. The normal adult hemoglobin molecule contains two alpha-globulin chains and two betas –globulin chain.

N.S.A.I.D: Non- Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs: is a class of analgesic medication that reduces pain, fever and inflammation. Since most episodes of back pain involved inflammation, NSAID, such as ibuprofen and naproxen are often an effective treatment option.

S.C.T: Sickle Cell Trait is an inherited usually asymptomatic blood condition in which some red blood cells tend to sickle but usually not enough to produce anemia and that occurs primarily in individuals of African, Mediterranean, or South West Asian ancestry who are heterozygous for the gene controlling hemoglobin.

S.C.A: Sickle Cell Anemia is an inherited form of anemia a condition in which there isn’t enough health red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen throughout your body.