Sickle Cell Disease in Angola as a Public Health Issue

Abstract

In this paper, we describe sickle cell disease as a public health issue in Angola. Angola has an estimated population of around 34 million, with approximately 18% to 20% of people affected. In 2022, 924 new cases were recorded, and studies indicate that the disease is one of the leading causes of infant death in the country, even with some progress in infection control. Studies also indicate that, in the same year, approximately 1,000 children died, and it is estimated that 1,000 children die annually and more than 7,000 children are born with the disease each year. It is a disease that causes deformation of red blood cells, leading to symptoms such as chronic anemia, intense pain due to obstruction of blood vessels, and increased susceptibility to infections, which results in suffering and premature death. In sickle cell disease, the HbSS genotype of sickle cell anemia, considered the most severe form, prevalent in the African continent, has high morbidity and mortality. In this work, we used quantitative observation as a research method, which allowed us to collect numerical data about the phenomenon. It also allowed us to quantify the problem and understand its dimension, as well as to investigate and observe the phenomenon comprehensively.