Effect of Health Education Intervention on Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease and Practice of Voluntary Genotype Couselling and Testing among Students of a Tertiary Institution in Sokoto State, Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Background: Knowledge of sickle cell disease (SCD) among students of tertiary institutions is known to influence their practice of genotype voluntary counseling and testing (VCT). This study aimed to assess the effect of health education intervention on the knowledge of SCD and practice of voluntary genotype counseling and testing among the students of a tertiary institution in Sokoto State, Nigeria. Methods: A quasi-experimental non-controlled study with pre- and post-test design was conducted among 111students of a tertiary institution selected by multistage sampling technique. A set of semi-structured self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on the research variables. A heath education session was held and free genotype screening was offered to the participants. Data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS version 20 statistical package. Results: The proportion of participants with good knowledge of SCD increased significantly (p < 0.05) from 49.54% at pre intervention to 87.38%at post intervention. The proportion of participants with good practice of voluntary genotype counseling and testing also increased significantly from 27.0% at pre-intervention to 73.0%at post-intervention. Fifty (45.0%) of the 110 participants who have never done genotype testing did so after the health education intervention. Conclusion: Health education intervention was effective in improving the knowledge of SCD and practice of genotype VCT among the participants. Sensitization of the public on SCD through the mass media and its inclusion in the school curriculum are crucial to improving the students’ knowledge of the disease and acceptance of premarital genotype counseling and testing by them later in life.