iamms/2019.029/29/isah et al. – C-International Archives

International Archives of Medicine and Medical Sciences (IAMMS), pISSN: 2705-1404; eISSN: 2705-1412
November to December 2019 Vol 1(3): pp.14-19 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33515/iamms/2019.029/29

Copyright © 2019 C-International Archives

Original Article

Knowledge of sickle cell disease; attitude and practice regarding premarital genotype counseling and testing among the lecturers of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

Balarabe A. Isah^*, Abdulaziz M. Danmadami, Malami M. Bello, Garu Njidda, Kasim B. Ibrahim, Stephen D. Magode

Department of Community Health, Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria

*Corresponding Author’s Email: drbalaargungu@gmail.com

Published December 23, 2019

ABSTRACT

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the commonest monogenetic diseases in Nigeria. Knowledge of the disease and uptake of premarital haemoglobin genotyping has substantial influence on the choice of spouse and control of the disease. Aim: This study aimed to assess the knowledge of sickle cell disease; attitude and practice regarding premarital genotype counseling and testing among the lecturers of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study among 269 permanent lecturers (selected by multi-stage sampling technique) of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. A pre-designed, pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to obtain data on the research variables. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 23 statistical computer software package. Results: Almost all, 267 (99.3%) of the 269 respondents were aware of sickle cell disease, and most of them (89.2%) had good knowledge of the disease. Majority of respondents knew what premarital hemoglobin genotype testing is (62.5%), when it should be done (100%), and its benefits, including preventing having a child with sickle cell disease (69.1%). Only a fifth and below of respondents showed negative attitude towards the test. Although, majority of respondents (70.3%) were willing to do the test, less than half of them (47.6%) did the test before getting married. Conclusion: Despite good knowledge of sickle cell disease and positive attitude to premarital haemoglobin counseling and testing, uptake of the test was low among the lecturers of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria. The management of the university should organize periodic haemoglobin genotype screening programs for the members of the university community.

Keywords: Knowledge, attitude, sickle cell disease, premarital screening

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