Abstract Objectives Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) increases risks in pregnancy, affecting both maternal and fetal outcomes. Ultrasound (US) is essential for monitoring these high-risk pregnancies. However, in countries like Angola, where SCD affects nearly 3% of pregnancies, access to skilled professionals is limited. This study evaluated the impact of an intensive US training program in Luanda, focusing on obstetric and abdominal US for SCD pregnancies. Methods A prospective pre-post intervention study was conducted with 24 healthcare professionals working in two maternity units. Participants completed a survey to assess confidence in performing US procedures before and after an one-week intensive training program. The training consisted of didactic lectures, supervised hands-on practice with real patients, and case discussions. Statistical analysis included distribution analysis and frequency, Mann-Whitney U tests, and effect sizes. Results Pre-training, participants demonstrated limited experience with both abdominal and obstetric US in SCD pregnancies. Post-training, improvements were observed in assessments of abdominal organs and obstetric evaluations, with significance in Doppler assessments. Conclusion The program effectively improved US proficiency and confidence in assessing SCD pregnancies. Incorporating continuous mentorship and locally adapted protocols could sustain these gains, with potential long-term benefits in maternal and fetal outcomes. Future initiatives should incorporate digital mentorship and refresher training.
Ricardo et al. (Thu,) studied this question.