ISSN 2756-3707
International Journal of Histology and Cytology ISSN 2447-9535 Vol. 3 (4), pp. 250-257, April, 2016. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Advocacy on genetic counseling of sickle cell disease among Nigerians
Adeyemo, Oyenike A.*, Omidiji, Olusesan O. and Shabi, Oluwasola A.
Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: +234-8055073665.
Accepted 27 July, 2015
Abstract
A descriptive analysis of reported cases of sickle cell disease and the level of awareness about genetic counseling in 30 hospitals were carried out. Additionally, 150 individuals between ages 16 - 45 were randomly selected for evaluation of genetic counselling awareness. The main tools for this study were questionnaires, which were taken to hospitals, and individuals completed the others. The numbers of reported cases of sickle cell disease recorded in private, public and teaching hospitals were 14 and 57; 143 and 89; 272 and 57 for the periods of 1995 - 2000 and 2001 – 2005, respectively. A general informal genetic counselling took place mostly occasionally in the hospitals visited. 122 (86%) individuals have had the knowledge of genetic disease and only 43 (30.3%) individuals have been exposed to genetic counselling. 64% of individuals agreed that genetic counselling would help in the prevention of genetic disease.
Keywords: Sickle disease, genetic counseling, genetic testing, advocacy.