Abstract

Sickle cell disease is the commonest genetic disease worldwide and includes disorders affecting the structure, function or production of haemoglobin, that afflicts a great number of people in this part of the world and subjecting them to unspeakable bouts of burden as well as torture. Premarital screening for the identification of carriers of the sickle cell gene, and genetic counseling, especially for at-risk couples with the gene is considered one of the best ways of preventing the sickle cell disease in the newborn. In view of this background, this study analyzes the knowledge, awareness and practice of premarital genetic screening for sickle cell anaemia disease among undergraduate students of Kaduna State University. To address the problem of study, three research questions were raised. The researcher adopted a survey research design and in-depth interview (IDI). A total of one hundred and seventy-five (175) respondents comprised the target of the study. Questionnaire and in-depth-interview guide were the instrument used for data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), frequency tables and percentages (%) were employed in the data analysis. It was discovered that most of the respondents are aware of sickle cell anaemia disease, they know their genotype and they know the centre where premarital genotype screening is carried out.  Premarital genotype screening can help in the prevention of genetic disease, and lack of knowledge is a factor influencing attitude towards premarital genotype screening. Suggestions were made that  premarital genotype screening should be made compulsory before marriage.
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                                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
1.1    Background of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    1
1.2    Statement of the Problem     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    4
1.3    Research Questions     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    6
1.4    Objectives of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    7
1.5    Significance of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    7
1.6    Scope and Limitations of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    8
1.7    Definition of Key Terms    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    8
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW AND THEORETICAL
2.1    Introduction     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    11
2.2    Knowledge on Premarital Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease    11
2.3    Attitude towards Premarital Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease    19
2.4    Practice of Premarital Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease    -    23
2.5    Theoretical Framework     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    27
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.1    Location of the Study     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    40
3.2    Sources of Data Collection     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    41
3.3    Population of Study and Sampling Technique     -    -    -    -    41
3.4    Methods of Data Collection     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    43
3.5    Methods of Data Analysis     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    44
3.6    Problems Encountered in the Field     -    -    -    -    -    -    44
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION
4.1    Introduction     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    46
4.2    Socio-Demographic Characteristics of Respondents     -    -    -    -    43
4.3    Knowledge of Prenatal Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease     48
4.4    Attitude towards Premarital Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease    -    53
4.5    Practice of Premarital Genetic Screening for Sickle Cell Anaemia Disease    -    58
4.6    Discussion of Major findings     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    61
CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
5.1    Summary of Findings    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    68
5.2    Conclusion     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    69
5.3    Recommendations     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    70
    References    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    73
    Appendices     -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    -    80