Abstract:

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited disorder of haemoglobin, is associated with severe physical and psychological burdens, both of which are influenced by a wide range of cognitive and socio-environmental factors. The current study aimed to establish the predictive influence of self-efficacy and family socioeconomic factors on the physical and mental health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of adolescents and young adults (AYA) with SCD. A cross-sectional study design was adopted, involving a sample of 116 AYAs with SCD, aged 16 to 24, recruited from two health facilities in South-West Nigeria. Participants completed assessments of SCD self-efficacy using the Sickle Cell Self-Efficacy Scale (SCSES) and HRQoL using the physical and mental component summary measures of the Short-Form 36 (SF-36). Family socioeconomic factors and socioeconomic status were evaluated using a Family Socioeconomic Status Scale adopted for the study. Multiple regression analysis indicated a significant joint influence of self-efficacy and socioeconomic factors on both physical and mental HRQoL, accounting for 64% variance in physical HRQoL and 66% variance in mental HRQoL. All evaluated variables, except home sanitation, independently predicted physical HRQoL, while all variables, except education and occupation, independently predicted mental HRQoL. Family possession, family-specific factors, and home sanitation were the most significant socioeconomic predictors of both physical and mental HRQoL. Moderation analysis indicated that socioeconomic status significantly moderated the influence of self-efficacy on mental HRQoL but not on physical HRQoL. The study highlights the need for exploring comprehensive and multi-faceted approaches in the management of SCD that go beyond medical treatment to address the broader social and psychological factors that influence physical and mental HRQoL.