Category: Masters Public Health

Status: Awaiting ethical permissions.

Background: Vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) is the hallmark complication of sickle cell disease and it is the most common cause for presentation to the emergency department. This research aims to explore the management of acute VOC from the health care professionals’ point of view by assessing their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the assessment and treatment of acute pain in this patient population in the public health care system.

Objectives:

• To understand the knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals working in public, acute care clinics with respect to the management of an uncomplicated vaso-occlusive crisis in patients with sickle cell disease in Barbados, May –July 2019.
•  To document the current practices of health care professionals in the management of an uncomplicated VOC in public, acute care clinic settings in Barbados, May- July 2019.
• To investigate the similarities or differences in health care professionals’ knowledge, attitudes and practices dependent on patient age range (pediatric vs adult) in Barbados May- July 2019.

Project Outline: This study is a multi-centre, descriptive, cross-sectional research project, utilizing a KAP survey model, conducted in two healthcare facilities in the City of Bridgetown, Barbados. Fast tract is a community polyclinic, which offers primary and secondary care; the QEH is a tertiary level hospital.