{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T18:05:26Z","timestamp":1783965926782,"version":"3.55.0"},"reference-count":53,"publisher":"Public Library of Science (PLoS)","issue":"7","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1783900800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"http:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100004423","name":"World Health Organization","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland And Global NCD Platform"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland And Global NCD Platform"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100004423","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North West Coast","award":["partly-funded"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["partly-funded"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["www.plosone.org"],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["PLoS One"],"abstract":"<jats:sec id=\"sec001\">\n                    <jats:title>Introduction<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent genetic diseases in the world. For women with SCD or those with Sickle Cell Trait (SCT) reproductive choices not only require consideration of genetic inheritance but also the exacerbation of pregnancy induced SCD symptoms and potential birth complications. To explore these issues a qualitative synthesis was conducted incorporating the views of women with SCD or SCT as well as healthcare professionals working with these women in maternity settings.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec002\">\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Database searches were performed in MEDLINE, Embase, MIDIRS, CINAHL Ultimate, PsycINFO, Social Sciences Citation Index, Global Index Medicus and CNKI, as well as reference lists of included studies published January 2000\u2013October 2024. Studies reporting qualitative data from women with SCD or SCT and health professionals providing care to these women during the maternity phase were included.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec003\">\n                    <jats:title>Data Collection and Analysis<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Author findings were extracted, coded and synthesised using techniques derived from thematic synthesis. Confidence in the quality, coherence, relevance and adequacy of data underpinning the resulting findings was assessed using GRADE-CERQual.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec004\">\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>\n                      Eleven studies from four different countries (UK, Brazil, France and Uganda) were identified including eight focusing on the views of women, two reporting on the views of health professionals and one exploring both. From these four analytical themes were generated:\n                      <jats:italic>Beyond the routine of antenatal screening; Myths, misunderstandings and submissiveness; Fear and uncertainty in the face of adversity; The importance of familial and organizational support<\/jats:italic>\n                      . Confidence in the results was moderate to good.\n                    <\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec id=\"sec005\">\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>The synthesis suggests that the intersection of SCD and maternity care is beset with a lack of understanding and inadequate health system support. In some contexts, women endure stigmatization, discrimination and poor quality care. Public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives, particularly amongst healthcare professionals, are urgently required to address these issues.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0352992","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,13]],"date-time":"2026-07-13T17:28:56Z","timestamp":1783963736000},"page":"e0352992","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1371\/journal.pone.corrections_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Sickle cell disease and maternity care: A qualitative synthesis of women\u2019s and health providers 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