Abstract
Background: Advancements in genomic sciences turned the focus of health care from the diagnosis and treatment of genetic diseases to genetic risk identification, genetic counseling and protective actions. This study aimed to assess perception of genetic disorders and genetic counseling among Tanta University students. Design and Setting a descriptive cross-sectional study design. The study was conducted at four Faculties (Faculty of Engineering, Arts, Nursing and Pharmacy) that were selected randomly from medical and non-medical fields in Tanta University. Subjects: A sample of 13.8% of students in the 4th academic year were selected (1005 students) by stratified random sample technique. Tool (1): Structured interview schedule developed by the researchers to assess students' knowledge regarding genetic disorders and genetic counseling. Tool (2):Attitude of university students towards genetic disorders and genetic counseling. Results: 77.6% of students had poor level of knowledge, while 87.2% of them showed positive attitude toward genetic disorders and genetic counseling. Three quarters (75%) of students hadn’t any information source about genetic counseling. Conclusion: The majority of students had poor knowledge, most of them had positive attitude, and there was a marked lack in the different information sources of genetic disorders and genetic counseling which constituted a major cause behind the deficiency in knowledge. Recommendation: Integration of modern genetics and genomics into basic and advanced educational programs of Egypt, genetic carrier testing of prevalent genetic diseases in Egypt should made available for university students with accepted costs and adequate coverage.
Highlights
A genetic disorder is an illness caused when a something goes wrong in the genes or chromosomes
The study concluded that, the majority of Tanta University students had poor knowledge regarding genetic disorders and genetic counseling, the majority of them had not heard of genetic counseling
There was a marked lack in the different sources of information whether it was formal sources as schools and health professionals or informal sources as relatives and friends, which constituted the major cause behind the knowledge deficiency
Summary
A genetic disorder is an illness caused when a something goes wrong in the genes or chromosomes. Arteriosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity are common genetic disorders in Arab countries. Many of these disorders have assumed its epidemic proportion. This study aimed to assess perception of genetic disorders and genetic counseling among Tanta University students. Tool (2): Attitude of university students towards genetic disorders and genetic counseling. Results: 77.6% of students had poor level of knowledge, while 87.2% of them showed positive attitude toward genetic disorders and genetic counseling. Conclusion: The majority of students had poor knowledge, most of them had positive attitude, and there was a marked lack in the different information sources of genetic disorders and genetic counseling which constituted a major cause behind the deficiency in knowledge. Recommendation: Integration of modern genetics and genomics into basic and advanced educational programs of Egypt, genetic carrier testing of prevalent genetic diseases in Egypt should made available for university students with accepted costs and adequate coverage
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