Sickle Cell Disease Epidemiology and Management in Africa: Current Trends and Future Directions in Digital Health Technologies

Abstract

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a genetic blood disorder of global significance, with a particularly high prevalence in Africa. This comprehensive review aims to provide a holistic understanding of the epidemiological trends, and the most recent developments in digital health technology for SCD management, highlighting how these developments progress in the future to overcome current obstacles and enhance patient outcomes.A range of scholarly databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were used in a careful and comprehensive search. Search phrases such as "sickle cell disease," "current trend," " digital health technology," and "future innovations" were used to locate relevant studies. Epidemiological data reveal a high prevalence of SCD in Africa, particularly of the SS than the SC variants. The results of this review indicate the disease's complex effects on socioeconomic, psychological, and physical health. Various digital health initiatives have demonstrated efficacy in improving health outcomes and hold promise for managing SCD. These resources can help with inadequate monitoring, underuse of clinical best practices, and a lack of illness education. However, there are significant obstacles to its comprehensive management, particularly regarding access to appropriate healthcare.More study is necessary to assess the efficacy, effectiveness, and cost-effectiveness of these innovations, as the current evidence is still limited in Africa. Future studies should investigate individualistic technological features that address patients' distinct requirements and intellectual capacities to overcome present barriers and improve patient outcomes.