title: Sexuality and sickle cell anemia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sickle cell disease, the most common hereditary blood disease in the world, is the result of an atypical hemoglobin called S (Hb S) which, when homozygous (Hb SS) is the cause of sickle cell anemia. Changes of puberty, correlated with a delayed growth spurt, begin late in both male and female sickle cell anemia individuals with repercussions on sexuality and reproduction. The objectives of this exploratory and descriptive study were to characterize the development of sexuality in adults with sickle cell anemia by investigating the patient's perception of their sex life, as well as the information they had and needed on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty male and female sickle cell anemia patients treated at the Hemocentro Regional de Uberaba (UFTM) with ages between 19 and 47 years old were enrolled. A socioeconomic questionnaire and a semi-structured interview on sexuality, reproduction and genetic counseling were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This study shows that the sickle cell anemia patients lacked information on sexuality especially about the risks of pregnancy and the possible inheritance of the disease by their children. Moreover, the sexual life of the patients was impaired due to pain as well as discrimination and negative feelings experienced in close relationships.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The health care of sickle cell anemia patients should take into account not only the clinical aspects of the disease, but also psychosocial aspects by providing counseling on sexuality, reproduction and genetics, in order to give this population the possibility of a better quality of life.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro - UFTM, Uberaba, MG, Brazil.
authors.forename: Viviane de Almeida
authors.initials: Vde A
authors.lastname: Côbo
authors.forename: Cibele Alves
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Chapadeiro
authors.forename: João Batista
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
authors.forename: Helio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Moraes-Souza
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto Juliano
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Martins
keywords: Adult; Anemia, sickle cell/psychology; Humans; Quality of life; Sexuality