Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic genetic disease that causes life-threatening complications and requires robust comprehensive management. Developing comprehensive SCD programs in sub-Saharan African countries requires knowledge of the cultural factors affecting health-seeking behavior. We utilized an ethnographic approach and the frameworks of Dutta and Habermas to explore cultural factors influencing SCD management in rural Sierra Leone. A purposive sample of 27 individuals with SCD and their family and professional caregivers were observed and interviewed from March 2019 to April 2019. We identified four domains (Cultural Beliefs, Cultural Values, Cultural Practices, and Dealing with SCD) of cultural influences on SCD management, and 12 sub-themes (related to collectivism; spiritual, traditional, and Western beliefs and practices; and lived experiences) that reflect the personal, social, structural, and contextual complexities of SCD management. Further research regarding roles of traditional and spiritual leaders, combinations of Western and traditional practices, and culturally centered interventions is warranted.

镰状细胞病 (SCD) 是一种慢性遗传疾病，会导致危及生命的并发症，需要强有力的综合管理。在撒哈拉以南非洲国家制定全面的 SCD 计划需要了解影响求医行为的文化因素。我们利用人种学方法以及 Dutta 和 Habermas 的框架来探索影响塞拉利昂农村 SCD 管理的文化因素。从 2019 年 3 月到 2019 年 4 月，对 27 名 SCD 患者及其家人和专业护理人员进行了有目的的抽样调查。我们确定了文化对 SCD 管理的影响的四个领域（文化信仰、文化价值观、文化实践和应对 SCD）和 12 个子主题（与集体主义相关；精神、传统和西方信仰和实践；和生活经历）反映了 SCD 管理的个人、社会、结构和背景复杂性。需要进一步研究传统和精神领袖的作用、西方和传统实践的结合以及以文化为中心的干预措施。