Feasibility of a Community-Based Sickle Cell Trait Testing and Counseling Program

Authors

Ashley Housten, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisFollow
Regina Abel, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisFollow
Terianne Lindsey, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LouisFollow
Allison King, Washington University School of Medicine in St. LousiFollow

Keywords

Sickle Cell Disease; Sickle Cell Trait; Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR); Health Education; African Americans

Disciplines

Community Health and Preventive Medicine | Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities | Hematology | Public Health | Public Health Education and Promotion

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell trait (SCT) screening is required at birth in the United States; however, adults rarely know their SCT status prior to having children.

Purpose: Assess feasibility of a community-based SCT education and testing intervention.

Methods: Participants were recruited from eight community sites to complete an educational program and offered a hemoglobin analysis. A genetic counselor met individually with participants to discuss lab results.

Results: Between July 14, 2010 and May 31, 2012, 637 participants completed the educational program. Five hundred seventy (89.5%) provided a blood sample, and 61 (10.9%) had SCT or other hemoglobinopathies. The genetic counselor met with 321 (56.3%) participants.

Conclusions: Community-based SCT testing shows initial feasibility and may increase the number of individuals who know their trait status.

Recommended Citation

Housten, Ashley; Abel, Regina; Lindsey, Terianne; and King, Allison (2016) "Feasibility of a Community-Based Sickle Cell Trait Testing and Counseling Program," Journal of Health Disparities Research and Practice: Vol. 9: Iss. 3, Article 1.
Available at: https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/jhdrp/vol9/iss3/1