Knowledge and Attitude Towards Sickle Cell Disease Screening Before Marriage Among Tertiary Students in Kano, Nigeria

Abstract

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited autosomal recessive blood disorder that causes Red Blood Cells (RBCs) to become rigid and crescent – shaped. SCD remains one of the most common genetic blood disorders among the Africans. The process of choosing a partner is sometimes challenging especially when considering the health status and the implications on future babies. One of the commonest outcome diseases of challenging genetic match is giving birth to a baby with SCD. The objective of this study is to examine the level of knowledge and attitude of undergraduate students in Bayero University, Kano, towards sickle cell disease screening before marriage. A descriptive cross – sectional study design. One hundred and fifty (150) undergraduate students in 100 Level were selected as respondents from 6 faculties using multistage sampling technique. A structured close-ended questionnaire was used to collect information on participant’s demographics, knowledge and attitude of respondents toward sickle cell disease screening. The study reveals that almost all the respondents (90%) were aware of SCD and its pattern of inheritance from parents to child. Source of knowledge information regarding SCD was mainly from school 77 (51%) respondents. Despite the good knowledge and awareness of SCD, 27 (18%) respondents considered genetic screening before marriage as unnecessary and not beneficial because it shows lack of faith in God. While 108 (72%) respondents will encourage their to-be partner for SCD screening before marriage to avoid unhealthy future babies, 15 (10%) agreed to go ahead with the marriage irrespective of the SCD carrier status of their to-be partner. The knowledge and awareness of SCD among the respondents is high, but does not translate to good attitude towards premarital screening. There is need for more emphasis on health education through schools, mass media, health professionals and especially religious bodies to address misconceptions and increase knowledge of risks of having child with sickle cell disease.