Is Sickle Cell Disease an African Disease? Facts and Myths Explained

Is sickle cell an African disease? Not exactly — learn the real genetic and malaria link, and the myths Nigerians should stop believing about SCD.

Is Sickle Cell Disease an African Disease? Facts and Myths Explained

  • Category

    Oncology

  • Published By

    GetWellGo Team

  • Updated on

    17-Sep-2026

Is Sickle Cell Disease an African Disease? Facts and Myths Explained

The disease has been linked to Africa due to the high prevalence of the disease among people in the continent, mainly people in sub-Saharan Africa. From this association has come the question, what is sickle cell? Is it an African disease? The answer is no, sickle cell disease is not a disease confined to any one place but is a blood disorder that is passed on from parent to child and is more prevalent in certain communities in Africa, India, the Middle East and parts of the Mediterranean.

It is important for Nigerian families and others in Africa to know the facts about sickle cell disease to ensure proper diagnosis, prevention and sickle cell disease treatment. GetWellGo provides a platform for international patients to find well-qualified doctors and hospitals in India, offering state-of-the-art medical services such as stem cell transplants and full sickle cell care.

What is Sickle Cell Disease?

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a blood disease that is passed down through the genes and occurs when there is a change in the gene called HBB which is what makes haemoglobin. Red blood cells contain a protein called haemoglobin which transports oxygen around the body.

Normally, red blood cells are elastic and rounded and can easily squeeze through blood vessels. In individuals suffering from sickle cell disease, the atypical haemoglobin can make the red blood cells hard, sticky and sickle-shaped.

These sickled cells can clog small blood vessels resulting in:

  • Severe pain crises
  • Anaemia
  • Frequent infections
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Organ damage
  • Stroke
  • Kidney complications
  • Problems with bones and joints.

It is not a dietary, lifestyle or geographical issue but rather passed down from parents.

Sickle Cell - Is it an African Disease?

The phrase 'is sickle cell an African disease' has a complex history. While sickle cell disease is found worldwide, Africa is home to the largest numbers of the sickle cell cases.

The World Health Organization reports that sickle cell disease is more prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa where about 80% of all cases are found. It is also seen in India, Saudi Arabia, in the Mediterranean area, the Caribbean, South America and among people of Europe and North America.

In Africa, the high prevalence is associated with the prevalence of malaria in history. The sickle cell trait may have conferred some resistance to severe malaria and this could be one of the reasons why the gene for sickle haemoglobin has survived generation after generation in malaria endemic areas.

But this does not mean that sickle cell disease is exclusive to Africans.

People with sickle cell disease live around the world:

  • Sub-Saharan African populations
  • People of African descent in the United States, Caribbean and Europe.
  • People from India
  • Persons from the Middle-East
  • Some populations of the Mediterranean region (Turkey and Greece)
  • A variety of populations in Central America and South America

In the end, the best answer for the question "is sickle cell an African disease" is that it is a world disorder that is more common in Africa than anywhere else and is a genetic condition passed down from one generation to the next.

Why Is Sickle Cell Disease So Common in Africa?

Sickle cell disease is particularly prevalent in areas where malaria has been endemic.

A person with the sickle cell trait (HbAS) has one normal haemoglobin gene and one sickle haemoglobin gene. Carriers typically do not suffer from sickle cell disease and lead normal lives.

Current evidence indicates that a gene for sickle cell has some protection against serious malaria when one gene is passed on from one parent. This natural selective advantage was passed on through successive generations and the sickle haemoglobin gene became widespread in malaria-endemic areas.

In Africa, the gene for sickle cell is more common in what is known as the “sickle belt” that extends from both West and Central Africa through to East Africa.

Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are among the countries that have large sickle cell populations. 

Nigeria has a high sickle cell burden and awareness, newborn screening, genetic counselling and early treatment are critical.

Myths about sickle cell disease

Myth 1: Only Africans Suffer from Sickle Cell Disease

The fact is that sickle cell disease is not a disease confined to a particular country.

  • It is more prevalent in Africa but also occurs in millions of people in India, Saudi Arabia, the Mediterranean, Caribbean and the Americas.
  • The spread of migration has also made sickle cell disease in countries where it had never been seen before.

Myth 2: Sickle Cell Disease is Contagious

Fact: Sickle cell disease cannot spread from one person to another.

It is a disorder that is passed down through a person's genes. It is not spread by:

  • Touching
  • Sharing food
  • Sexual contact
  • Coughing or sneezing
  • When blood is in contact in the normal social environment

Children inherit certain abnormal haemoglobin genes from both parents and develop sickle cell disease when they inherit both of them.

Myth 3: People with Sickle Cell Trait Have Sickle Cell Disease

Fact: Sickle cell trait is NOT sickle cell disease.

  • Sickle cell trait is normally inherited with one sickle and one normal haemoglobin gene. The majority of people with the trait do not have the medical complications that come with sickle cell disease.
  • The main rule for sickle cell disease is that it is a disease that is usually present when two people inherit two genes encoding for abnormal haemoglobin.
  • The risk of passing the condition on to children can be assessed through genetic counselling as well as haemoglobin tests.

Myth 4: Sickle Cell Disease is caused by Weakness or Poor Lifestyle

Fact: Sickle cell disease is inherited and is not due to poor nutrition, exercise or personal habits.

But some of the following conditions may cause problems or ache for individuals who have the disease. These may include:

  • Dehydration
  • Extreme temperatures
  • Infections
  • Physical stress
  • A low level of oxygen at high altitudes.
  • Severe fatigue

These triggers and medical guidance can help minimize complications.

Symptoms of Sickle Cell Disease

The symptoms of sickle cell disease can differ depending on the type and severity of the disease.

Common symptoms include:

  • Pain Crises
  • Anaemia
  • Frequent Infections
  • Swelling of Hands and Feet
  • Delayed Growth

Early diagnosis and frequent medical monitoring are crucial to minimise complications.

Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Options

No single treatment is effective in all patients. Despite this, the treatment and long-term prognosis have greatly improved in sickle cell disease with the advances in medicine.

Treatment will depend on the patient's age, symptoms, severity of the disease, overall health and any complications.

Hydroxyurea Therapy

Hydroxyurea is a well-known drug that stimulates the production of fetal haemoglobin. These can help to decrease the number of pain crises and some complications in qualified patients.

Pain Management

Medicines for pain, fluids, oxygen as needed and hospitalization might be employed in severe crises.

Blood Transfusions

Severely low haemoglobin levels, stroke prevention and other significant complications might warrant blood transfusion.

Immunisation and Infection control

They may be offered vaccinations and prevention medication especially for sickle cell patients.

Bone Marrow or Stem Cell Transplantation

In a few patients, sickle cell disease can be cured with a hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT), also known as a bone marrow transplant.

In this treatment, diseased blood-forming stem cells are replaced with stem cells from a donor. The process involves donor matching, conditioning therapy and specialized transplant care.

International patients from Nigeria and African countries can avail advanced bone marrow transplant programs in India.

Is there a cure for Sickle Cell disease?

In many years' past, sickle cell disease was believed to be a chronic illness that could only be managed. However, with new developments in stem cell transplants and gene-based therapies, there are new opportunities for certain patients today.

If the patient has a successful transplant of HSCs, the abnormal cells that make blood may be destroyed.

Not all patients are candidates, however doctors take into account:

  • Age
  • Disease severity
  • Previous complications
  • General health
  • Availability of a suitable donor
  • Organ function
  • Risks of transplanting

A patient's family should always obtain advice from a qualified hematologist.

Sickle cell disease treatment in India for Nigerian patients 

India is now gaining a reputation for high level haematology and bone marrow transplantation. If a patient from Nigeria needs specialised care, second opinion or evaluation of the patient for transplantation, they may be treated in India.

Hospital in India provides:

  • Hematology consultations
  • Treatment of sickle cell disease.
  • Bone marrow transplantation
  • Stem cell transplantation
  • Genetic counselling
  • Blood transfusion support
  • Pediatric hematology services
  • Post-treatment monitoring

GetWellGo assists international patients from the initial stages of their medical treatment till they are taken care of by the best hospital and doctor in India.

What GetWellGo Provides:

  • Advice from doctors and hospitals as per medical reports
  • Practice sessions to prepare for travel.
  • Treatment estimates and hospital co-ordination
  • Medical visa assistance
  • Airport transfers
  • Accommodation support
  • Translation services, if necessary
  • Comprehensive patient case management.
  • Post-treatment coordination.

Conclusion

Sickle cell disease is not only an African disease but most common in sub-Saharan Africa. This is due to its genetic causes and its connection with malaria endemic areas. However, sickle cell disease is not a racial disease or geographical disease; it is simply a chronic blood disorder that can happen anywhere in the world. Early diagnosis, regular monitoring, medicines, blood transfusions and more advanced treatments like stem cell transplants can provide effective care to patients. GetWellGo can assist Nigerian families in finding the right doctors and hospitals in India to get personalized medical advice for the treatment of sickle cell disease.

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