A Correlate of Awareness and Prevalence of Sickle Cell DisorderPhenotypes and Carrier Status of Undergraduate Students ofAchievers University Owo

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most common single-gene blood disorder in the world,
representing a significant public health problem. More than a thousand variants of
haemoglobin exist but fortunately, only a few are considered significant clinically.
The study was a cross sectional prevalence study aimed at evaluating the level of
awareness and prevalence of sickle cell disorder among undergraduate students of
Achievers University, Owo. A simple randomly selected 100 students made up of both
gender who consented to the study were recruited. Blood samples were collected from
the participants into Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) and analysed by
cellulose acetate membrane electrophoresis method. The results of the study show a
prevalence of 8% sickle cell disease and 30% carrier. More females (66) participated
in the study than males (34) and had a significantly higher prevalence of HbSS, HbAC
and HbSC than the male’s counterpart (p > 0.05). However, males had more HbAS
than the females. Muslim participants had more sickle cell disorder than the
Christians. In the same vain, participants from Yorubas. Yorubas had more HbAS, and
HbSC while the Igbo had more HbSS and HbAC. The association between religion or
ethnicity and prevalence of SCD was statistically not significant (p < 0.05). In
conclusion, understanding knowledge about sickle cell inheritance, its health and
reproductive health implications as well as behaviour towards individual with SCD
particularly is important regarding limiting the spread of the diseases. The study
recommends continuous enlighten on the possibility of eradicating this disorder and
incorporation of genetic counselling in premarital counselling.