Dietary Intake and Nutrients Adequacy among Young Adults with Sickle Cell Disease in Ile-Ife, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic and genetically mutated disease seen among the African descent, of which the need to
study the nutritional status and the socio-demographic characteristics is a challenge. The aim of the study was to determine the
dietary intake, level of nutritional status, and sociodemographic characteristics of people with sickle cell disease in Ile-Ife, Osun
State, Nigeria. The study involved 100 participants, 50 in the test group (Hb SS patients) and 50 control (other genotypes/nonHb SS patients) in the control group, recruited at the Obafemi Awolowo University’s health center in Ile- Ife. A questionnaire
was issued to gather information on participants. Dietary data were obtained by the socio-demographic using 24-hour dietary
recall, food frequency questionnaire was distributed to the participants. Characteristics, including their body mass index (BMS)
height and weight were measured. From the study, about 76.3% of the respondents did not meet the total calorie needed while
23.7% met the expectation of total calorie needed daily. Proteins and carbohydrate as a major micronutrient met the requirement
54.6% and 93.8% respectively. Fibre intake was grossly inadequate with 80.4%, mineral salts and vitamins showed inadequate
intake, most especially, folate, retinol, beta carotene and vitamin D. It is evident that nutritional management should go with
medical care provided to patients with sickle cell disease. The nutritional management should also focus on conscious selection
of food to ensure adequacy of both macronutrients and micronutrients necessary for maximum functioning of the body and
maintaining good nutritional status.