Patient Preference and Adherence (Nov 2022)
Utilization of Hydroxyurea Among Patients Diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease in Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Gassem A Gohal,1 Ibrahim M Gosadi,2 Basheer Ahmed Cittana Iqbal,3 Yahya H Ghazwani,3 Amal M Daghriri,3 Ahmad A Shugairi,4 Khaled A Daghriri,5 Atyaf J Zurayyir,6 Abdulrhman A Nemri,7 Monera A Abdulhaq8 1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Adult Hematology and Oncology, Prince Mohammed Bin Nasser Hospital, Jazan, Saudi Arabia; 5Department of Internal Medicine, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 6Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 7Department of General Surgery, Security Force Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 8Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Ibrahim M Gosadi, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jazan University, P.O. Box: 2349, Jazan, 82621, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966 562137711, Email [email protected]: The early diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD) patients and getting appropriate treatment are crucial for improving clinical outcomes. This study aims to assess the use of hydroxyurea among patients diagnosed with SCD and assess factors influencing the attitude toward the medication and the reasons for discontinuation.Methods: This study was a cross-sectional investigation targeting parents or caregivers of children diagnosed with SCD in the Jazan region of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected from tertiary healthcare hospitals via a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was composed of sections measuring the participants’ demographics, the number of children diagnosed with SCD, the use of hydroxyurea, and the parents’ beliefs about hydroxyurea.Results: There were 301 parents or caregivers recruited. The majority of the recruited participants were mothers (54.5%), and nearly half of the sample were older than 35. More than 80% of the participants declare that one or more of their children are receiving hydroxyurea to manage SCD. The majority of participants declared that using hydroxyurea reduced the frequency of body pain episodes, emergency department visits, and hospital admissions. Participants’ major concern about the use of hydroxyurea was related to the fear of weakening their immunity (29.5%) and hydroxyurea’s perceived effect on fertility (16.8%). Furthermore, 52 (18%) of the participants declared that the use of hydroxyurea to manage the disease was stopped; the main reasons for stopping was their belief that hydroxyurea had side effects and its impact on weakening of their immune system.Conclusion: The findings indicate the importance of increasing the role of clinicians in educating patients and caregivers about the use of hydroxyurea and its benefits.Keywords: sickle cell disease, hydroxyurea, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
