Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Sickle Cell Disease Screening Among Adolescents in Bauchi North-Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is the most prevalent inherited haemoglobin disorder in Nigeria, with an estimated 4 to 6 million affected individuals and approximately 25% of the population carrying the sickle cell trait. Prevention depends on informed reproductive decision-making, which requires adolescents to have adequate knowledge of genotype status and a positive disposition toward screening. This study assessed the knowledge, attitude, and perception of SCD screening among adolescents in Bauchi Local Government Area, Bauchi State. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed among 230 adolescents drawn from ten wards using multistage sampling. Data were collected electronically via KoBoToolbox and analysed using SPSS version 26 with frequency tables, chi-square tests, and odds ratios. The mean knowledge score was 5.91 out of 10, with 61.3% demonstrating adequate knowledge. Most respondents (93.0%) had a good attitude toward genotype screening. However, 73.9% feared a carrier result would prevent them from marrying their chosen partner, 67.0% perceived screening costs as prohibitively high, and 61.3% reported significant community stigma. Age, religion, and educational level were significantly associated with knowledge level (p < 0.001, p = 0.030, p < 0.001 respectively). Marital status, religion, and educational level were significantly associated with attitude (p = 0.007, p < 0.001, p = 0.002 respectively). Inadequate knowledge was associated with nearly three times higher odds of poor attitude toward screening (OR = 2.85, p = 0.043). Multi-level interventions addressing knowledge gaps, subsidised screening access, and community norm change are urgently needed.