Linkage to Care Intervention to Improve Post-Hospital Outcomes Among Children with Sickle Cell Disease in Tanzania: A Pilot Study

J Pediatr. 2021 May:232:290-293.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2021.01.048. Epub 2021 Jan 29.

Abstract

We conducted a pilot study to determine the effectiveness of a linkage to care intervention with social workers to improve 12-month post-hospital mortality for children in Tanzania with sickle cell disease. Comparison was done with a historical cohort. Mortality was 6.7% in the interventional cohort compared with 19.2% (adjusted Hazard Ratio, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.08-0.83).

Keywords: child mortality; hospital outcomes; linkage to care; post-discharge.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / mortality*
  • Anemia, Sickle Cell / therapy*
  • Child
  • Continuity of Patient Care / organization & administration*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hospitalization*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pilot Projects
  • Quality Improvement / organization & administration*
  • Quality Improvement / statistics & numerical data
  • Social Work / organization & administration*
  • Tanzania / epidemiology
  • Treatment Outcome