International Journal of Medical and Health Research

Authors
Oyedele Emmanuel A, Emmanuel Andy, Gaji Luka D, Ahure Do'om Esther

Abstract
Genetic disease like sickle cell disease is more prevalent in developing countries like Nigeria. Premarital genetic screening could help in its prevention. Awareness and acceptance of pre-marital genetic screening is not well documented in Plateau State. The aim of this study was to determine the level of awareness and acceptance of pre-marital genetic screening a Nigerian community. A descriptive design was adopted for the study and 150 youths voluntarily completed a pilot-tested questionnaire. Findings indicated that 50.7% are aware of premarital genotype screening and 52.7% of the respondents have been screened for their genotype. Majority of the respondents (77.3%) accepted to go for premarital genotype screening. The relationship between aware and acceptance of premarital genotype screening is statistically significant. It was concluded that although awareness and acceptance of pre-marital screening was reasonable more need to be done to increases public awareness.