Abstract
The knowledge, attitude and practice of genotype screening for sickle cell are very important in the control and prevention of sickle cell disease (SCD). The objectives of this study therefore are to determine the knowledge, attitude and practice of genotype screening among undergraduate students of the University of Abuja, Nigeria. The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. A sample size of 256 was studied and multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the faculties, departments and participants. Data was collected by using self-administered, semi-structured questionnaire. Associations between variables and proportions were ascertained using Chi-square tests at 5% level of statistical significance. Most of the respondents were males (51.1%) and majority belong to age group of 21-25 years. About 98% of the students have good knowledge of genotype screening for sickle cell. Also, 93.8% of the students had positive attitude to genotype screening and 76.6% of the participants had ever had a genotype screening with 52.7% having AA genotype, 18.4% AS and 5.5% with SS genotype. In addition, the study revealed a statistically significant association between good knowledge of genotype screening and the practice (98.0% vs. 58.2%; p value <0.003). Since the students have good knowledge and positive attitude to genotype screening, increased awareness on genotype screening should be encouraged so as to increase the uptake of screening and reduce the burden of sickle cell disease.
Highlights
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin (Hb) in which the sickle Hb is present in association with abnormal Hb. [1] It is the most common single gene disorder in the world and up to 312,000 people are born yearly with HbSS globally; majority of these births (236,000) occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. [1, 2] Historically, the homozygous HbSS disease, HbSβ-thalassaemia (HbSβThal), HbS plus C, D, and E (HbSC, HbSD, and HbSE, respectively) are commonly included under the classification of SCD. [3, 4] The geographical distribution of these Hb variants differs and often parallels certain attributes such as climatic conditions and malaria endemicity
Correct knowledge and attitude towards genotype screening for sickle cell disease is vital because preventing genetic disease through early identification and genetic counseling remains an innovative approach to reducing the impact of the disease
Socio-demographic Characteristic of Respondents had scores below 50% were considered to have a bad practice towards genotype screening
Summary
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin (Hb) in which the sickle Hb is present in association with abnormal Hb. [1] It is the most common single gene disorder in the world and up to 312,000 people are born yearly with HbSS globally; majority of these births (236,000) occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. [1, 2] Historically, the homozygous HbSS disease, HbSβ-thalassaemia (HbSβThal), HbS plus C, D, and E (HbSC, HbSD, and HbSE, respectively) are commonly included under the classification of SCD. [3, 4] The geographical distribution of these Hb variants differs and often parallels certain attributes such as climatic conditions and malaria endemicity. [1, 2] Historically, the homozygous HbSS disease, HbSβ-thalassaemia (HbSβThal), HbS plus C, D, and E (HbSC, HbSD, and HbSE, respectively) are commonly included under the classification of SCD. While the HbSS and HbSC diseases are highly prevalent in areas of Sub-. Correct knowledge and attitude towards genotype screening for sickle cell disease is vital because preventing genetic disease through early identification and genetic counseling remains an innovative approach to reducing the impact of the disease. This allows for better use of available recourses in resource-poor countries such as Nigeria where the prevalence of SCD is high. This allows for better use of available recourses in resource-poor countries such as Nigeria where the prevalence of SCD is high. [11]
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