Sickle cell disease (SCD) continues to be a significant public health problem in West Africa, where genetic susceptibility leads to some of the highest incidence rates in the world. Notwithstanding the progress in biomedical research and diagnostics, available evidence shows a disturbing decline in the implementation and utilization of sickle cell screening services within the region. The paper discusses key determinants that have led to the decrease, and highlights suboptimal public awareness, lack of healthcare resources, and deeply rooted traditional beliefs and cultural practices. It also emphasizes the interactions among these factors and their synergistic influences on public health results. Rather, a multifaceted approach using initiatives at the levels of education reform, health system strengthening, and community engagement are needed to revive and improve the role of early detection in the mitigation of SCD's impact.
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- Sefakor Akosua Atadja (Author), Marian Bell (Author), 2025, The Fall in Uptake of Sickle Cell Screening in West Africa, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1582522
