Al-Hikmah University Journal

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.