KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION OF SICKLE CELL DISEASE AND PRE-MARITAL HAEMOGLOBIN GENOTYPE SCREENING AMONG NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS MEMBERS IN OYO STATE

Abstract

Sickle Cell disease has become recognized as a World Wide problem affecting millions of people. Despite the common occurrence of the disease, public awareness is low with the condition often attributed to cultural beliefs such as "ogbanje and "abiku" (the children born to taunt their parents by dying young). Beliefs change when younger, educated generations such as National Youth Service Corps Members (NYSC), pass on their knowledge to the community where they serve as teachers, health and extension workers. This research sought to find out whether NYSC Members' knowledge of sickle cell disease and aspects of prevention, like haemoglobin genotype screening, is adequate. This is an exploratory descriptive survey of 291 Corps members in Oyo State. The study population consisted of all 840 NYSC members posted to Oyo State in October 1990. A stratified random sampling technique was used to reflect the distribution of Corps, half of whom were posted in the Ibadan municipal area, while the reminder served the outlying Local Government Areas (LGAs). Results revealed that health scientists, orthodox Christians, unmarried Corps members and those related to Sickle cell patients had higher mean knowledge scores for sickle cell disease. Regarding perception of the disease condition, most respondents (81.4%) said it was a serious problem. However, as regards perceived susceptibility of their own children, 68% of those untested for genotype and 53.5 percent of those already tested claimed their children would not be susceptible. Furthermore, among those untested, results showed that health scientists, male Corps members and orthodox Christians were most willing to undertake the test. Based on these findings opportunities have been identified for Improving the knowledge of this Influential segment of Nigerian youth. Health Education at Universities and Polytechnics is therefore needed. In the meantime, health education in NYSC orientation camps can be strengthened.