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. 2024 Nov 7;14(11):e089056.
doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089056.

Acceptability, barriers and facilitators of using dried blood spots-point-of-care testing for sickle cell disease in Africa: an implementation science protocol for a multinational qualitative study

Obiageli Eunice Nnodu  1 , Nchangwi Syntia Munung  2 , Lulu Chirande  3 , Catherine Chunda-Liyoka  4   5   6 , Sarah Kiguli  7 , Fred Stephen Sarfo  8 , Boubacari Ali Touré  9 , Emmanuel Balandya  10 , Aldiouma Guindo  9 , Patience Kuona  11 , Kevin Esoh  12   13 , Mario Jonas  12 , Maxwell Nwegbu  14 , Upendo Masamu  15 , Jack Morrice  12 , Patrick Ohiani Moru  14 , Valentina Ngo Bitoungui  16 , Victoria Nembaware  12 , Siana Nkya  15 , Léon Tshilolo  17 , Julie Makani  15 , Ambroise Wonkam  2   13 , Emmanuel Peprah  18 ; SickleInAfrica Consortium
Collaborators, Affiliations

Acceptability, barriers and facilitators of using dried blood spots-point-of-care testing for sickle cell disease in Africa: an implementation science protocol for a multinational qualitative study

Obiageli Eunice Nnodu et al. BMJ Open. .

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a prevalent inherited blood disorder. Globally, approximately 515 000 babies are born with SCD annually, with 75% of these births occurring in Africa. Integrating newborn screening (NBS) for SCD into primary healthcare structures, such as immunisation programmes, holds significant promise, with dried blood spots (DBS)-point-of-care technologies (POCT) like HaemoTypeSC offering cost-effective screening solutions. However, scaling up DBS-POCT for NBS of SCD in Africa remains challenging.

Objective: This study aims to explore individual, organisational and external factors that may influence the reliability, feasibility, acceptability, adoption and sustainability of using DBS-POCT with HaemoTypeSC for NBS of SCD at primary healthcare centres in African countries.

Method: This qualitative study will be conducted in seven African countries that are part of the SickleInAfrica consortium sites. The study design is informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and the Implementation Outcome Model. Participants will be mothers whose babies have been diagnosed with SCD, healthcare professionals and policy-makers. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions will be used for data collection. Data analysis will be through thematic analysis.

Ethics and dissemination: Research ethics approvals have been obtained from the seven countries. Written informed consent will be obtained from all participants. The study results will be disseminated in peer-reviewed scientific journals, scientific conferences, reports to national ministries of public health and webinars.

Keywords: Haematopathology; Implementation Science; PAEDIATRICS; Parents.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Overall SickleInAfrica NBS study sites and design. Final numbers of FGD/IDI will be determined by the principle of saturation. CHEWs, community health extension workers; FGD, focus group discussion; IDI, in-depth interview; NBS, newborn screening; PF, performance characteristics; QP, quantitative phase.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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