Sickle Cell Anaemia among Tharu Population Visiting the Outpatient Department of General Medicine of a Secondary Care Centre: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

INTRODUCTION: Sickle cell anaemia is a global health issue in which a mutation of the 3-globin gene changes normal haemoglobin in sickle-shaped red blood cells. The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of sickle cell anaemia among the Tharu population visiting the outpatient Department of General Medicine in a secondary care centre. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the Tharu population in the Department of General Medicine of a secondary care centre from 10 January 2020 to 10 June 2022. Ethical approval was taken from the Institutional Review Committee of the same institute (Reference number: 590/2076-077). A convenience sampling technique was used. Point estimate and 95% Confidence Interval were calculated. RESULTS: Out of 409 patients, 60 (14.67%) (11.24-18.10, 95% Confidence Interval) had sickle cell anaemia. Among them, 45 (75%) patients had sickle cell trait and 15 (25%) patients had sickle cell disease. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of sickle cell anaemia was higher when compared to other studies conducted in similar settings. The government needs to emphasise more effort in diagnosing cases as well as increasing the testing centre.