Ribeiro, Ricardo TeresaHcini, NajehVasconcelos, JocelyneAlves, LigiaMendes, ManuelaGomes, Tatiana M.Brito, MiguelPomar, Léo2026-05-262026-05-262026-05Ribeiro RT, Hcini N, Vasconcelos J, Alves L, Mendes M, Brito M, et al. Capacity building in obstetric and abdominal ultrasound for sickle cell disease pregnancies in Angola: a pre- and post-training evaluation. J Sickle Cell Dis. 2026;3(1):yoag022.3029-0473http://hdl.handle.net/10400.21/22896This work was conducted as part of the UpScale (Ultrasound Predictive management of Sickle Cell Anaemia disease Enhancement in Pregnancy) project (n°131437), funded by the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) in its capacity as the Leading House Africa, under the Consolidation Grant instrument.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 2 maternity units. Participants completed a survey to assess confidence in performing US procedures before and after a 1-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.engPregnancySickle cell diseaseUltrasoundObstetric ultrasoundCapacity buildingMedical educationTraining programsAngolajournal article10.1093/jscdis/yoag022