Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42311867›Full record

ArticlePatient preference and adherence2026

Beyond the Prescription: Hydroxycarbamide Utilization and Adherence Among Persons Living with Sickle Cell Disease in Rural Ghana.

Kofi Boamah Mensah, Veronica Osei-Owusu, Adwoa Bemah Boamah Mensah, Pauline Boachie-Ansah, Akua Asantewaa Appiah-Num Safo, Neelaveni Padayachee

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Article in Patient preference and adherence, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Kofi Boamah MensahDepartment of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0002-7971-4270
Veronica Osei-OwusuPharmacy Department, Agogo Presbyterian Hospital, Agogo, Ghana.
Adwoa Bemah Boamah MensahDepartment of General Nursing, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0002-1114-702X
Pauline Boachie-AnsahDepartment of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0002-2302-1854
Akua Asantewaa Appiah-Num SafoDepartment of Pharmacy, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology, Kumasi, Ghana.ORCID 0000-0003-1669-0360
Neelaveni PadayacheeDepartment of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, School of Therapeutic Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the utilization and adherence to hydroxycarbamide therapy among sickle cell disease (SCD) patients in a rural Ghanaian setting, and predictors of adherence. Patients and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 100 SCD patients receiving care at a rural health facility in Ghana. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to adult patients and caregivers of paediatric patients. Descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression were used to assess hydroxyurea utilisation, adherence, and associated factors. Results: The study population was predominantly paediatric, with caregivers completing questionnaires for most participants. More than half of the respondents (56%) had use hydroxyurea for over 2 years. While 80% reported always taking the drug, the majority admitted to missing at least one dose in the preceding month. The most reported barriers were forgetfulness (50%) and financial constraints (44.6%). Although gender and educational level were associated with adherence in unadjusted analyses, these factors were not independent predictors in the multivariable logistic regression model. Conclusion: Hydroxyurea utilization in this rural setting is encouraging and reflects the positive impact of national policies such as the "Ahodwo Program". However, adherence challenges persist. This is primarily driven by behavioral and financial barriers than demographic factors. Optimising hydroxyurea use will require targeted interventions, including patient and caregiver education and financial risk protection mechanisms that build on the existing national programs. From a policy perspective, these findings support strengthening caregiver-centred adherence interventions. Future studies should prioritise age-stratified, longitudinal designs to better characterise adherence patterns in adults and children.

Indexed as

AgogoGhanahydroxyureasickle cell disease

Identifiers

PMID42311867
PMCPMC13271054

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.