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Research Article Open access CC BY 4.0

Anxious Lives: Exploring Lived Experience of Nigerian Sickle Cell Patients

Alex E. Asakitikpi

Journal of Education, Society and Behavioural Science · pp. 235–246 · Published 2 May 2015

10.9734/BJESBS/2015/17489

Abstract

This paper discusses the illness narratives of undergraduate students suffering from sickle cell anaemia. The study explores participants’ concept of the self in relation to the disease on the one hand, and on the other, the construction of their identity in relation to significant others, friends and the wider community in order to gain a deeper understanding of their symbolic and interactional meanings. Data was generated from six undergraduate students in a private university in south western Nigeria. The qualitative data collection techniques used included in-depth interviews, unobtrusive observation and informal group discussion. The study was conducted over a period of two years and the data were content analysed. The study found that sickle cell patients defined the disease as “natural” due to its hereditary nature. Participants’ experiences with the disease in relation to others were described as “frightening”, “stressful” and “delimiting” within a broad socio-cultural framework that is characterized by empathy and endurance. The findings suggest a more focused awareness campaign that stresses cooperation and understanding of the disease and interactions with sickle cell patients.

Sickle cell disease sickle cell patients lived experience social stigma chronic illness self pain Nigeria

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Cited by 3

Lived Experience of Sickle Cell Patients during and after Crisis

Mudhar Al Adawi, Hanan Said Al Hamami, Fathiya Suliman Al Harrasi · Open Journal of Nursing · 2021

Priapism Among Male Adolescents with Sickle Cell Disease

P.M.E. Ocansey · 2018

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