Knowledge, beliefs, and attitude of students at Kampala International University towards sickle cell disease
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Date
2019-04
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Health Sciences
Abstract
Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is among the most widespread genetic disorders among the African descents. SCD is associated with increased morbidity and mortality with many misconceptions about how people get the disease, as such there are shred of evidences on the need to increase knowledge and change on bad attitudes and beliefs about the disease to help reduce its incidence. This study aimed to describe the knowledge, beliefs, and attitude of students at Kampala International University, Uganda.
Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was used. With 384 students of Kampala International university participating in the study. Semi-structured questionnaire was employed to collect data from participants on demographic characteristics, general knowledge of SCD, beliefs, and attitudes of students at the university towards SCD.
Results: Nearly all the students were aware of SCD (99.2%). The Knowledge level of participants on SCD according to their scores discovered a mean score of 9.7± 4.5 with 65%, 30%, and 5% for poor, moderate and excellent respectively. The Majority of the respondents strongly agreed that they feel concerned (52.9%) and have sympathy (51.3%) for people affected with SCD. Participants had the belief that it is an inherited disease acquired from parents (48.2%) but not a punishment from God (76.3%) or disease of bad luck and the majority of the students agreed to higher institutions screening their students before admission.
Conclusion: Majority of the students were aware of SCD although they have poor comprehensive knowledge about the pattern of inheritance, Majority of the respondents demonstrated positive attitude towards SCD and had the belief that it is an inherited disease acquired from parents, but not a punishment from God or disease of bad luck, and close to one third are ready to end their relationship if they found out their genotypes could predispose them to have children with SCD. Generally, there was a poor understanding of SCD pattern of inheritance with the majority of the students not knowing they might be SCD carriers themselves
Description
A research report submitted to the Faculty of Clinical Medicine and Dentistry in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of a degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery of Kampala International University
Keywords
Sickle cell disease, Students, Kampala International University