Level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disease patients in Jos, North-Central Nigeria

Authors

Akinyemi O.D. Ofakunrin, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital
Edache S. Okpe, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital
Tolulope O. Afolaranmi, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital
Rasaq Olaosebikan, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Patience U. Kanhu, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital
Kehinde Adekola, Northwestern University
Nantok Dami, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital
Atiene S. Sagay, University of Jos / Jos University Teaching Hospital

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

8-2-2021

Comments

This article is the authors’ final published version in African Health Sciences, Volume 21, Issue 2, August 2021, Pages 765-774.

The published version is available at https://doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v21i2.36. Copyright © Ofakunrin et al.

Abstract

Background: Hydroxyurea is underutilized by sickle cell health-care providers in Nigeria despite available evidence of its effectiveness in reducing the manifestations and complications of sickle cell disease (SCD).

Objectives: To assess the level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in SCD therapy in Jos, Nigeria.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 132 medical doctors providing care for SCD patients. Data on so- cio-demographics, utilization and barriers to hydroxyurea use were obtained. The barriers were fed cumulatively into the logistic regression model as predictors of utilization.

Results: Of the 132 care providers, 88 (67%) had been in medical practice for ≥6years. The level of utilization of hy- droxyurea was 24.2%. The significant barriers that predicted the non-utilization of hydroxyurea included lack of expertise (OR=5.1; 95% CI=2.65–9.05), lack of clinical guidelines (OR=3.84; 95% CI=2.37-14.33), fear of side-effects (OR=0.50; 95% CI=0.22–0.68) and doubt about its effectiveness (OR=0.30; 95% CI=0.20–0.90).

Conclusion: The level of utilization of hydroxyurea in the treatment of SCD among the care providers is sub-optimal with the lack of expertise in its use identified as the most prominent barrier. There is an urgent need for the training of sickle cell care-providers and the development of clinical guidelines on hydroxyurea use.

Recommended Citation

Ofakunrin, Akinyemi O.D.; Okpe, Edache S.; Afolaranmi, Tolulope O.; Olaosebikan, Rasaq; Kanhu, Patience U.; Adekola, Kehinde; Dami, Nantok; and Sagay, Atiene S., "Level of utilization and provider-related barriers to the use of hydroxyurea in the treatment of sickle cell disease patients in Jos, North-Central Nigeria" (2021). Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers. Paper 136.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/petfp/136

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Language

English