PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE WELLBEING OF STUDENTS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE WELLBEING OF STUDENTS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA

ABSTRACT

In sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells clump together causing the originally round-shaped red blood cells to appear as semicircular shaped red blood cells, sickle cell anaemia disease is categorized as a disease accompanied by frequent pain, low red cell blood count, and infection.

This study sought the psychological factors influencing the wellbeing of students living with sickle cell anaemia, a study of Babcock University, Illishan Remo, Ogun State.

The study adopted a descriptive survey design in conjunction with the enumeration sampling method was used in the study to select 100 students from all departments in the study area. Data collection was done through the use and administration of a questionnaire. The data generated were analyzed using simple percentage and frequency count with the aid of the software SPSS version 20 and the linear regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses at .05 significance level. The results indicated that psychological factors has significant influence on the well-being of students living with sickle cell anaemia.

The study concluded that there is strong relationship between psychological factors and the well-being of students living with sickle cell anaemia.

In this light, the study recommended that Lecturers, HOD’s, student unions, class reps should monitor their students living with sickle cell anaemia effectively and should not allow environmental sickness to influence them as this can increase there illness, Students living with sickle cell anaemia should ensure that their friends and roommates are aware of there health status as that will positively help if any sign of illness is shown, students living with sickle cell anaemia should be assessed by psychological counselor and doctor regularly so they can might do better.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

People with sickle cell disease can live a normal life and achieve their dreams and aspirations if the condition is well managed especially from the psychological perspectives. Sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that can be acquired if both parents carry the disease trait (World Health Organization WHO, 2010). In sickle cell anaemia, the red blood cells clump together causing the originally round-shaped red blood cells to appear as semicircular shaped red blood cells (National Institute of Health NIH, 2013). Sickle cell anaemia disease is categorized as a disease accompanied by frequent pain, low red cell blood count, and infection (NIH, 2013). Psychological factors for sickle cell anaemia are well known risk factors for many adverse health outcomes. These psychological factors can indirectly or indirectly influence the wellbeing of students living with sickle cell anaemia. Wellbeing is now commonly proposed as a theme for outcome measures as it reflects the expanded goals of care, from medical treatment of sickle cell anaemia toward broader wellness. Several reliable ways of measuring well-being are available, including measures that focus on the presence of positive emotions and the absence of negative emotions, life satisfaction, social engagement, and physical wellness. Such measures of subjective well-being emphasize the importance of the hedonic aspects of experience, such as pleasure, satisfaction, and happiness

PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS INFLUENCING THE WELLBEING OF STUDENTS LIVING WITH SICKLE CELL ANAEMIA