Factors Influencing the Health Behaviors of Young Adults With Sickle Cell Disease: A Scoping Review

Background: Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) face unique challenges and barriers to care as they age and transition from pediatric to adult care settings. Objective: The purpose of this scoping review was to explore the factors that influence the health behaviors of individuals with SCD after they have transitioned to adult care settings. Methods: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched in March 2024 to identify articles meeting the inclusion criteria. A total of 162 articles were identified and imported into Covidence and screened for eligibility. Results: A total of 19 articles were included in this review. The content analysis revealed 2 main themes with underlying subthemes. Theme 1: interpersonal factors with subthemes (a) the need for independence and (b) identity conflict, and Theme 2: environmental factors with subthemes (a) lack of knowledge and resulting stigma and (b) access to care. Discussion: The results of this scoping review demonstrate that there is a complex interaction of interpersonal and environmental factors that influence the health behaviors of individuals with SCD after they transition to adult care settings. Further research should explore the social environment and individual psychosocial challenges that patients with SCD face. Results can help inform interventions to prepare adolescents and young adults, as well as their families, for the transition to adult care settings. Review Protocol Registration: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/DZCGS