Premarital genotype screening for sickle cell disease: knowledge gaps, perception and determinants of uptake among final year undergraduates of a tertiary institution in South-west Nigeria.

Abstract

Background: Strategies involved in the prevention and management of sickle cell disease include premarital genotype screening and counselling, as well as efforts to increase the knowledge of the population about the condition.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional descriptive study which assessed the knowledge of sickle cell disease and premarital genotype screening, attitudes towards screening and factors associated with uptake of premarital genotype screening among 326 final year students of the University of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Results: Respondents were within the age range of 18-24 with a mean age of 23. The majority of the respondents had an AA genotype (68.71%). Only 15.95% of the respondents had good knowledge of sickle cell disease. The mean knowledge score was 14 out of 26, with a standard deviation of 4.31. 75.77% of the respondents had good knowledge of premarital genotype screening. 76.07% of the respondents had good attitudes toward premarital genotype screening. The mean attitude score was 9.5 out of 12, with a standard deviation of 2.15. Respondents’ current level of study (P=0.000) and marital status (P=0.042) were significantly associated with knowledge of sickle cell disease. There was a significant association between knowledge of sickle cell disease and knowledge of premarital genotype screening (Fisher’s P= 0.000). Knowledge of premarital genotype screening was significantly associated with respondents’ current level of study (P=0.004) and attitudes to premarital genotype screening (Fisher’s P= 0.000).

Conclusion: Significant knowledge gaps were identified in the study population. There is a need for continuous assessment of knowledge gaps and educational intervention to decrease the incidence of sickle cell disease.