Kudos to Dominique Bulgin and her mentor Paula Tanabe for the submission of their Sigma Theta Tau, International application entitled “ Understanding the Intersection of Stigma and Self-Management in Sickle Cell Disease." This proposal requests funds for a two-year period with a start date of November 1, 2017.

Abstract: Subject Population: Persons ages > 18 with sickle cell disease (SCD) treated at the University of West Indies SCD clinic will be eligible for inclusion. SCD is associated with severe complications and significantly shortened lifespans in both the United States and Jamaica, with average lifespan being 10.5-11 years longer in Jamaica. Many personal and background factors including, perceived stigma, demographics (country, age, race, sex, socioeconomic status) and clinical (disease severity, hydroxyurea use, genotype) characteristics may influence self-management strategies and quality of life (QoL) in SCD. These characteristics have not been explored and Jamaica's unique characteristics provide a prime opportunity. Research Design: This is a cross sectional prospective study will utilize a qualitative and quantitative approaches. Instrument and Procedure: Participants will be interviewed about disease self-management strategies and how sources of stigma influence these strategies. Demographic and clinical characteristics will be assessed using questionnaires. Quantitative measures will be used to assess perceived stigma (SCD Health-Related Stigma Scale) and QoL (Adult Sickle Cell Quality of Life Measures). Understanding the relationships between perceived stigma, demographic and clinical characteristics, SCD self-management strategies and QoL in these countries will illuminate useful comparisons that could lead to new strategies to improve SCD self-management despite stigma.