Abstract:

Background: Sickle cell disease is an inherited disorder of hemoglobin, caused by a mutation in the β-globin subunit of adult hemoglobin. In classic autosomal recessive fashion, inheritance of one abnormal and one normal allele confers sickle cell trait, a carrier state without clinical symptoms. (1) But in sickle cell disease, the red blood cells become hard and adhesive and look like a C-shaped farm tool called a ―sickle‖. As a result, these abnormal Sickle cells die early within 10–17 days in contrast to the normal 120-day lifespan of non-sickled RBCs, leading to constant shortage of red blood cells (2). Inheritance of two mutated alleles causes sickle cell disease, characterized by varying amounts of chronic hemolytic anemia, recurrent debilitating pain and an array of clinical sequelae, including increased risk of infection, stroke, lung disease, splenic dysfunction and bone infarction. (3)

Objective: To assess knowledge and attitudes towards premarital screening of sickle cell disease and genetic counselling among medical students at CUHAS, Mwanza.

Methodology: Its cross-sectional survey study, which was conducted from September to October. A structured questionnaire was used to assess knowledge and attitude and obtained data was analyzed using SSPS statistical 20 programs.

Results: The study involved 340 undergraduate’s medical student comprising of 48.8 % female, 51.2% male, 91.8% of participants were ranging from 20-25 years those with advance qualification were 90.8% where by 88.3% had high knowledge about sickle cell disease. Overall knowledge regarding premarital screening and genetic counselling of sickle cell disease among undergraduates was 91.5% had high knowledge while 5.9% moderate knowledge and 2.6 had low knowledge. Also 96% had good attitude towards premarital screening and genetic counselling of sickle cell disease whereby only 4% had poor attitude

Conclusion. Based on the findings of this study, it was imminent that there is good knowledge of sickle cell disease, premarital screening of sickle cell disease and genetic counseling also good attitude towards genetic counseling among undergraduates of Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences.