ABSTRACT
Background: Sickle cell disease is a condition in which an individual has inherited two abnormal hemoglobin genes at least one of which is hemoglobin S (HbS) and the resulting symptomatology or pathology is attributed to the sickling phenomenon. About 5% of the world’s population carries genes responsible for hemoglobinopathies and each year about 300 000 infants are born with major hemoglobin disorders including more than 200 000 cases of sickle-cell anemia in Africa. Sickle cell anemia is a very common disorder in Nigeria with birth rate of about 1 in 50 and about 150,000 children are born annually with sickle cell anemia in Nigeria alone. The study aimed to explore the knowledge and attitude of nursing students about premarital screening for sickle cell disease. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted using self-administered semi-structured questionnaire among 176 students. Results: Majority of respondents knew sickle cell disease and also knew their genotype 97.6% and 71% respectively, although up to 9.1% selected blood group as their genotype. More than half of respondent (51.7%) said sickle cell disease can be transmitted through blood, 55.1% of respondent said they think government should prohibit marriage between incompatible couples with regard to sickle cell disease, Only about one third (34.1%) of respondent have good knowledge of SCD, and 34.3% of respondent have good knowledge of premarital screening for SCD, More than half (55.4%) of respondent have good attitude regarding premarital screening for SCD. Conclusion: The study shows that the respondent have poor knowledge of sickle cell disease and premarital screening though more than half of the respondent have good attitude towards premarital screening. The results of this study reflect the importance of health education as a keystone in improving knowledge and attitude towards premarital screening for sickle cell disease.