Community Engagement on Sickle Cell Disease Awareness

Overview

Sickle cell disease carries a heavy but under-recognised burden on Uganda's island communities. In partnership with Global Health Uganda and Duke University, SHSI leads community engagement across the Kalangala Islands to raise awareness, reduce stigma and connect families to screening and care.

Objectives

• Raise community awareness of sickle cell disease across Kalangala.
• Reduce stigma faced by children and families living with the condition.
• Support access to screening, counselling and follow-up care.
• Generate community-informed insights to guide future research.

Activities

• Village dialogues with elders, parents and adolescents.
• School- and health-facility-based awareness sessions.
• Training of community health workers and peer educators.
• Co-design of culturally appropriate awareness materials.

Expected outcomes

• Higher awareness of sickle cell disease among island residents.
• Stronger referral pathways between community and health facilities.
• A network of trained community champions sustaining the message.