The Resilience Issues in a Sickle Cell Disease Context: The Experience of a Cameroonian Child

Abstract

Objective: This research aims to understand the resilience issues in Fidele, a 17-year-old girl, sister of a child with sickle cell disease in Cameroon. Material and Method: The data were collected through an interview and a family drawing in Fidele Family’s home. These data were analysed through the thematic analysis and a drawing analysis approach. Results: The family taboo regarding sickle cell disease makes Fidele feel strange about her sick sister. She remains powerless in the face of the crises of her sister with whom she is prettified by the parents concerning her surveillance and protection against crises and aggressive behaviour coming from people outside the family. This prettification is a potential factor of resilience insofar as it makes her active with the child and hence his illness. Conclusion: This study highlights the relationships between resilience and culture and shows the need to support the sick child, his siblings, his parents and the professionals within healthcare institutions.