Factors associated with intention to screen for sickle cell trait among final year students in college of health sciences at Makerere University

Abstract

Sickle cell trait screening is the best intervention for primary prevention of sickle cell disease. It reveals one’s genotypic status. Only 1% of the Ugandans know their sickle cell trait status. The aim of this study is to assess the factors associated with the intention to screen for sickle cell trait majorly among final year students in College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. Methods: This was a cross sectional quantitative study carried out among 207 final year students in College of Health Sciences at Makerere University. Data was collected using an online questionnaire, cleaned excel Microsoft and then exported to the Statistical Package for Social Scientists(SPSS) version 26 for analysis. Univariate analysis was done to find frequencies and percentages of the variables. Bivariate and multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression to assess the association between the intention to screen for sickle cell trait and the factors that were assessed. Statistical significance was predicted by a P value of less than 0.05 and the strength of association was measured using odds ratios and a 95% confidence interval. Variables with a p value ≤ 0.2 and those that were biologically plausible were considered for multivariate analysis. Results: Two hundred seven students participated in the study and 58.0 % were males and the mean age was 25years. Generally, a high proportion (86.0%) of the participants intended to screen for sickle cell trait. Majority of the participants were aware of SCT screening and only (66.7%) of the participants knew were to access the SCT screening test. Affordability of the SCT was independently associated with intention to screen for sickle cell trait. Conclusion and recommendations: There was a high proportion of students who intended to screen for sickle cell trait. There is need for developing targeted interventions like increasing awareness of SCT screening, making SCT screening more accessible and affordable. Genotypic counselling is also intensively required for desired reproductive choice