Prevalence and Predictors of Low Packed Cell Volume among Sickle Cell Disease Patients in Northwestern Nigeria

ABSTRACT Background: Among Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients, the levels of Steady state packed cell volume (SSPCV) can reflect the extent of the anemia, and several factors have been linked with low SSPCV. However, in Northwestern Nigeria, the burden and the associated factors remained unexplored; therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence and predictors of low SSPCV in this environment. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Hematology of Usmanu Danfodiyo University teaching UDUTH, Sokoto, among patients with sickle cell disease attending clinic visits. A total of 206 patients were recruited via systematic sampling. The SSPCV was assessed from routine clinical investigations and the case file. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS version 25. Results: The mean steady-state packed cell Volume (SSPCV) of the respondents was 24.00±4.70%, and about one in two (45.6%) had a low SSPCV below 24%. There was a statistically significant association between a lower steady-state packed cell volume and lower socio-economic status, lower levels of education, participants from the Hausa/Fulani tribe, and hemoglobin S homozygosity (HBSS). However, only educational level and socio-economic status remained predictors of low SSPCV. Conclusion: The burden of low SSPCV is substantial, with about half of the participants having low SSPCV. Low level of education and Socioeconomic disadvantage were identified as the main predictors. Therefore, there is a need for targeted social interventions as well as health education and community awareness to mitigate this burden.