Knowledge of sickle cell disease and haemoglobin electrophoresis: A survey of students of a tertiary institution

Abstract

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the commonest genetic disease worldwide. Of the sickle cell control strategies, premarital genetic counselling is increasingly practised in many countries of the world. Knowledge of the citizenry of a nation about SCD constitutes an important variable that influences the acceptability, practice and success of premarital genetic counselling. A study of students of Benue State University, Makurdi was carried out to determine their current level of knowledge. A cross sectional study involving 300 students of Benue State University, Makurdi; selected by a multistage stratified sampling technique, using self administered structured questionnaire, was carried out. Virtually all study respondents had at one time or the other heard about sickle cell disease. Based on the criteria used for knowledge scoring, less than half of the students (48%) demonstrated good knowledge. Overall Mean Score Knowledge (MSK) was 4.65 +/- 1.65. MSK was 4.58 +/- 1.66 and 4.74 +/- 1.64 for males and females respectively; there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). However, having an affected relative suffering from sickle cell disease significantly influenced level of knowledge among study respondents (P < 0.05), but was not significantly associated with respondents knowing their haemoglobin phenotype. Only 141 students (47%) knew their haemoglobin phenotype. Level of knowledge about SCD did not significantly increase with age. Also, sex and religion did not significantly influence level of knowledge. The knowledge about SCD was poor and only a few knew their haemoglobin phenotype. If sickle cell disease control strategies must yield any significant results, more education about SCD, especially among students in tertiary institutions in Nigeria is recommended. The use of persons with SCD as peer educators/counsellors should be explored.