Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease among University Students in Port Harcourt

Abstract

Background: Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is a hereditary haemoglobinopathy that has been related with significant mortality in Nigeria. Knowledge on cause, prevention and risk factors are important for adequate control of the occurrence of SCD.
 Methods: A cross sectional study on the awareness of SCD was carried out among undergraduate students in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. A structured questionnaire was interviewer-administered to 146 students.
 Results: The study showed that 97.9% claim to have heard about sickle cell, while 68.5% indicated that the source of information on sickle cell was in school. One hundred and twenty-seven (87%) indicated that SCD describes abnormal blood cells. In 68.5% the source of information on SCD was in school. Only 42% had a good awareness on SCD. Students of male gender, of less than 20 years, with less average family income were more likely to have poor awareness of SCD.
 Conclusion: The study shows the need for improved awareness on SCD and increased awareness campaigns on every available media platform.

Assessment of the Knowledge of Nigerian Health Technologists-In-Training on Sickle Cell Disease

“…Despite the huge burden of SCD in sub-Saharan Africa, sub-optimal knowledge on the disease has also been reported by other authors in this region. [8][9][10][11][12] These studies [8][9][10][11][12] were, however, conducted among university undergraduates or fresh university graduates with disciplines not particularly related to health care. This underscores the poor level of knowledge of sickle cell diseases among the general population of tertiary institution students and fresh graduates and calls for an intensified approach towards educating Nigerian Students on SCD as it is a disorder of public health significance in Nigeria.…”