The role of religious leaders and faith organisations in haemoglobinoopathies: a review

The role of religious leaders and faith organisations in haemoglobinoopathies: a review

Toni-Uebari, Thelma K.
Inusa, Baba P.D.

8/15/09

English

20090815

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is now the most common genetic condition in the world including the UK with an estimate of over 12,500 affected people and over 300 new births per year. Blood transfusion therapy plays a very important role as a disease-modifying strategy in severe SCD e.g. primary and secondary stroke prevention and other acute life-threatening complications such as acute chest infections and acute multi-organ failure. Blood transfusion, however, carries a number of risks including alloimmunisation. There is the need to increase the level of awareness and education about SCD and also to increase blood donation drive among affected communities. These communities are mostly ethnic minority populations who are recognised to have poor access to health care services. Due to the strong impact of religion on these populations, faith organisations may provide potential access for health promotion and interventions.

19.4

19.4;1.2;9.5.1;15.1

clergy--[pri];health promotion--[pri];hemoglobinopathies--[pri];professional role--[pri];religion--[pri]

blood donation;blood transfusions;choice behavior;decision making;empirical research;ethnic groups;evaluation studies;genetic counseling;international aspects;minority groups;prenatal diagnosis;prevalence;racial groups;selective abortion;sickle cell anemia;survey;thalassemia;treatment outcome

Great Britain;Pakistan;Saudi Arabia;Thailand;United States

BMC Blood Disorders.2009 August 15(9):8 p.

ja

citation

r

32 refs.