Determinantsof perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es salaam, Tanzania.

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Abstract

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) represents a significant genetic disorder that imposes a considerable global health burden. The notable prevalence of SCD in Tanzania, coupled with extensive economic, psychological, and social ramifications, underscores the importance of premarital genetic screening for the identification of carriers of the sickle cell trait. This study aimed to assess the determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es salaam, Tanzania. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional design was used among 470 undergraduate students who were selected using stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data via Google forms. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25. Descriptive and inferential statistics analyses were employed. Results: A total of 448 questionnaires were completed and submitted with a response rate of 95.3%. More than half of the students (57.24%) had a good perception regarding premarital screening and the majority (92.2%) expressed their intention to uptake premarital genetic screening for sickle cell trait. Respondents who received information from healthcare professionals had significant association (p= 0.031) with good perception. Conclusion: Most respondents had good perception on premarital screening and the influencing factor has been found to be information from healthcare providers. Recommendation: This study was conducted only in one health science university in Tanzania; therefore, there is a need for similar studies (regional or national wide) should be done in other universities to obtain representative samples of undergraduates of the nation.

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