KNOWLEDGE OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND WILLINGNESS TO UNDERGO GENOTYPE SCREENING AMONG CORPS MEMBERS IN IBADAN NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, OYO STATE

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin. The disease limits the oxygenating role of haemoglobin, which is the oxygen carrying pigment of the red blood cell, resulting in the damaging of the sickle shape of the red blood cell. Nigeria stands out as the most sickle cell endemic country owing to its population. Lack of awareness, knowledge and poor attitude are the reasons behind the prevalence of SCD in Nigeria. This study looks into the knowledge of young people on SCD and the implications of gender in their health seeking behaviour such as genotype screening. The main objective of this study is to investigate the knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) and willingness to undergo genotype screening, among Corps members. The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study, and a sample of 355 respondents was selected. A stratified random sampling technique was adopted for this study, and both qualitative and quantitative instruments were used for data collection. The opinions from the qualitative analysis (FGD) were analyzed thematically and triangulated with the quantitative result while Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 was used for quantitative data entry. Frequency, charts, tables, Pearson Chi-square and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Adequate ethical principles were also observed for this study. There were more female (54.6%) than male (45.4%) and their mean age was 24.41±2.163. Almost all (96.3%) of the respondents have heard about SCD and majority (89.5%) are aware of genotype screening. Less than half of the respondents (45.5%) could state the difference between genotype and blood group, while more than half (53.0%), cannot support a family member who does not have the disease to marry a carrier of SCD. Slightly over 10% of the respondents, mainly the male respondents have never had genotype screening, but majority (72.1%) are willing to repeat genotype test. Statistical association was found between gender, discipline, and respondents’ level of knowledge. Only gender was associated with willingness at p<0.005 even after further analysis (OR = 4.126, 95%CI = 1.446 – 11.776). The results of both qualitative and quantitative studies were able to establish the notion and ambiguity young people have in relation to differentiating between heamoglobin genotype and blood group, as well as poor attitude towards carriers of SCD. Also, the result shows that some Corps members have never had genotype screening. Therefore health education, genetic counseling and genotype screening should be included in the programmes of Corps members at the orientation camps.