EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO SICKLE CELL DISEASES AND SCREENING AMONG YOUTH CORPS MEMBERS IN LAGOS STATE.

EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO SICKLE CELL DISEASES AND SCREENING AMONG YOUTH CORPS MEMBERS IN LAGOS STATE.

Abstract

Introduction
In Nigeria, sickle cell disease has remained an unresolved health problem as in most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Twenty four percent (24%) of the population are carriers and WHO puts its prevalence (at birth) in 2006 at 20 per 1000 births1. People should know their genotype long before considering marriage, receive genetic counseling if necessary and be able to make informed decisions. This study was carried out to determine the effect of an health education programme on the knowledge and attitudes to sickle cell disease and screening among unmarried NYSC members in Lagos state.
Methodology
The study was a quasi-experimental study. A multistage sampling technique was used to determine the respondents for the intervention and control groups. Semi-structured self administered questionnaire was used to obtain baseline information from both control and intervention groups. It was followed by an health education programme on sickle cell disease and screening for the intervention group and genotype screening was offered free of charge for willing participants immediately after the health education at the venue. Three months later, post intervention data using the same questionnaire was collected from both groups.
Results
Almost all (99% from both groups) the respondents were aware but only 25.3% and 23.5% had good level of knowledge about sickle cell disease in the intervention and control groups respectively. Most of the respondents (at least 63%) had positive attitudes to many aspects of sickle cell disease; but their perception of risk of the trait in relatives and partners and risk of the disease in children among those who were not aware of their genotype was very low. Most of them (79%) supported screening for sickle cell genotype generally. Majority (83% in intervention and 81% in control groups) were aware of their genotype. There was a significant relationship between level of knowledge and awareness of genotype (p<0.05).
The health education intervention caused a significant (p< 0.05) increase (64.1%) in the level of knowledge in intervention group. The respondents’ attitudes to sickle cell disease and screening also improved significantly in most areas. The proportion who knew their genotypes also increased (by 11.9%) significantly in the intervention group (P>0.05).
Conclusion
Health education of youth corps members improved their level of knowledge about sickle cell disease and screening significantly while it improved their attitudes to sickle cell disease and screening in many of the aspects considered and increased the proportion that was aware of their genotypes.
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Recommendation
Sustained health education through school curriculum, mass media and health institutions would be relevant in an effort to influence undergraduates and new graduates to have better knowledge and attitudes towards sickle cell disease and screening. This will enable them to make informed decisions about pro-creation later in life.

Title Page———i

Certification——–ii

Dedication———iii

Acknowledgement——-iv

Abstract ———vi

Table of Content——–vii

 

Chapter One

1.0 Introduction ——-1

1.1 Statement of Problem——4

1.2 Purpose of the Study——5

1.3 Significance of Study——8

1.4 Limitation——–9

1.5 Scope of Study——-11

 

Chapter Two

2.0 Review of Related Literature —-12

2.6 Summary of Literature Review—- 19

 

Chapter Three

3.0 Research Methodology and Procedure—22

3.1 Population ——–22

3.2 Sample and Sampling Technique—-22

3.3 Validation of the Instrument —-23

3.4 Reliability of the Instrument —–23

3.5 Data Analysis——-23

 

Chapter Four

4.0 Presentation and Discussion of Result—24

4.1 Analysis and interpretaion of Data—25

4.2 Discussion of Results——38

 

Chapter Five

5.0. Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendation  –40

5.1 Summary——–40

5.2 Conclusion——–41

5.3 Recommendation——42

References ———45

Appendix 1——–47

Appendix ———50

EFFECT OF HEALTH EDUCATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO SICKLE CELL DISEASES AND SCREENING AMONG YOUTH CORPS MEMBERS IN LAGOS STATE.

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