Knowledge And Attitude As Correlate Of Addherence To Premarital Sickle Cell Screening Among Adult Students’ Of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State

ABSTRACT

Premarital sickle cell screening is a test done to screen intending couples in order to determine

their genotype before marriage. This study investigated the knowledge and attitude of adult

students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU), Awka as correlate of adherence to premarital

sickle cell screening. A cross sectional descriptive research design was used for the study. A

sample size of 370 adult students was drawn from an estimated population of 10,400 through a

proportional, stratified, sampling technique. Data were collected using a researcher developed

questionnaire. Data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies, percentages, mean and

standard deviations. Chi-square test was used to test the hypotheses. Findings revealed that the

participants had high knowledge about premarital sickle cell screening. There was also positive

attitude by the participants towards pre-marital sickle cell screening. Reasons for not going for

the test by few married adult students were lack of knowledge of premarital sickle cell screening

and its consequences to an affected individual, while the unmarried stated their reasons to be fear

of exposing ones genotype to the public and fear of stigma following an affected individual. The

percentage of unmarried adult that indicated willingness to go for screening test were higher than

the percentage of married adults that adhered to premarital screening. There was no significant

relationship between knowledge and adherence to premarital sickle cell screening among

married and unmarried adult students. There was significant relationship between attitude and

adherence to premarital sickle cell screening among unmarried adult students; however no

significant relationship was found among married adult students. Based on the findings, it was

concluded that university students can serve as advocates for creating awareness on premarital

sickle cell screening due to their high knowledge. There is need for enlightment campaign to

address the issue of stigma and discrimination about sickle cell disorder.