Do Young Omani Adults with Sickle Cell Disease Experience Stigma from Having the Disease?

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of psychological, sociological and health related stigmas among young Omani adults with Sickle Cell Disease.

Methods: This study was a descriptive quantitative design study. The sample was 40 young adults with SCD selected from University of Nizwa. A convenience sampling approach was used to recruit the participants.

Results: The findings from the study revealed that the young Omani adults with SCD experienced psychological stigma (61%) from the disease with feelings of depression, anger, anxiety and worries due to frequent complications from SCD. Also, the findings suggested that the Omani young adults experienced societal stigma (50%) from having the disease. In addition, the findings indicated that a large percentages of the respondents suffered from health related stigma (80%). The results revealed a statistically significant difference (p=.001) in the psychological stigma scores. Similarly, the results elicited a significant difference in the societal stigma scores. Furthermore, there was also a statistical significant difference in the health related stigma scores (p=.001). The mean score for HRS (18.40 ± 5.39) was higher than the normal; suggesting high level of health-related stigma experienced by the participants. 

Conclusion: The findings revealed that young Omani adults with SCD reported psychological stigma from the disease with feelings of sadness, anger, anxiety and worries due to frequent complications from SCD. Also, the findings suggested that majority of respondents felt isolated from their families, friends and had trouble getting along with friends due to frequent complications. Also, the disease limited them from participating in social activities and felt that people had avoided them due to their illness. Finally, the findings indicated that the respondents reported health related stigma due to the physical problems from having sickle cell disease and which impeded them from performing activities of daily living.