Month: September 2024

The authors—Adeniyi Adesola, David Akoki, Joshua Lawal, Abigail Oyedokun, Anuoluwapo Babawale, and Oluwatomisin Agboola—are part of a Mentored Child Health Research Project led by the Duke Center for Policy Impact in Global Health and the University of Ibadan Medical Students' Association. Background: the scope of the disease Imagine a world where your own blood turns against you. That is the reality for millions of people living with sickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic condition that turns red blood cells into rigid and fragile, crescent-shaped obstacles. These cells can clog blood vessels, causing severe pain and life-threatening complications. Globally, Nigeria bears the highest burden—about 2% to 3% of the population has the disease—with about 150,000 newborns affected yearly and 50 million people carrying the sickle cell trait.1 Nearly half of affected…

The authors—Akinrinde Deborah, Ayeni Samuel, Akande Damilola, and Adegbite Adedapo—are part of a Mentored Child Health Research Project led by the Duke Center for Policy Impact in Global Health and the University of Ibadan Medical Students Association. Introduction: a neglected global health issue "When we ignore the mental health of children, we undercut their capacity to learn, work, build meaningful relationships and contribute to the world. When we ignore the mental health of parents and caregivers, we fail to support them to nurture and care for their children to the best of their ability. And when we ignore mental health issues in our societies, we close off conversation, reinforce stigma and prevent children and caregivers from seeking the help they need."                                                                        -The State of the World’s Children, UNICEF 2021 Adolescent…