Hidden stories of caregivers with children living with sickle cell disease in Uganda: experiences, coping strategies and outcomes

Abstract

Background Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) poses a substantial public health challenge in Uganda, exhibiting distinct regional variations in prevalence. The Uganda Sickle Cell Surveillance Study has estimated an overall SCD prevalence of 13.3%. Notably, this prevalence diverges significantly across the country’s regions, reaching its highest in the northern region at 22.2% and it’s lowest in the central region at 5.3%. This variation reflects the diverse impact of SCD and underscores the need for a comprehensive understanding of its regional implications.