Journal of Blood Disorders & Transfusion

Abstract

Creating Awareness of Sickle Cell Trait in School Students

Pushkar Aggarwal

Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) -the awareness of this problem is non-existent in middle and high school students, especially the African-Americans and those having malaria impacted regions as their descent. Sickle Cell trait is found in 8% of African-Americans. There is no comprehensive program across the country to make school students aware of SCT. The students are not aware that the sickle cell trait can lead to health complications if they are doing strenuous exercise or swimming to build stamina or to compete. The students volunteering in Civil Air Patrol, an United States Air Force Auxili ary, who do air sorties in unpressurised planes are unaware of sudden death risk due to hypoexemia. Incorporating the education material in biology, science and physical education text books and lectures has been proposed as a viable solution. As the student progresses through various grades so does the chapter advances each year with enhanced education material. It ties up with evolution, natural selection, vector diseases, geographical distribution, blood composition, advanced biology and environmental science. Chapters in mathematics, probability and computer science adopt simulations for natural selection based upon recessive and dominant genes as in Sickle Cell. Geographical Information Systems depict the geographical distribution and immigration of people. Social science students learn about historical perspectives and social implications of marriage between two persons having similar genetic traits. Before any pain management techniques or medications are adopted, the students should be made aware of the problem and the clinical symptoms. A comprehensive education strategy to create awareness and enhance knowledge especially in context with SCT amongst school students is proposed.