Determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| dc.contributor.author | Ndaigeze, Indo | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-01-22T10:10:54Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-01-22T10:10:54Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2024-11-19 | |
| dc.description | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Public Health | |
| dc.description.abstract | Background: Sickle cell disease is a serious genetic disorder with a significant global burden. The significant burden of SCD in Tanzania and the substantial economic, psychological and social costs, highlights the significance of premarital genetic screening for sickle cell disease (SCD) for timely diagnosis as well as for identifying carriers of SCT. Objectives: The objective of the was study to assess the determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Kairuki University, Dar es Salaam Tanzania. Methodology: An analytical cross-sectional design was used among 448 undergraduate students (aged 18-35 years) who were selected using stratified random sampling technique. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data via Google forms. Data was analysed by using SPSS version 25 and presented as Tables and Charts. Bivariate logistic regression was employed to examine the relationship between multiple independent variables and dependent variable (perception). Results: The study found out that more than half of the students (57.3%) had good perception regarding premarital screening and the majority agreed to uptake premarital genetic screening for Sickle Cell Disease. Respondents who received information from healthcare professionals had significant association with good perception. Conclusions: In summary, over half of the respondents (57.24%) had a good perception of premarital screening for sickle cell disease. Most respondents had good perception on premarital screening and the influencing factor that has been vii found appropriate information from healthcare providers. Moreover, a substantial percentage of respondents (92.2%) expressed their intention to undergo premarital genetic screening for sickle cell disease. This indicates a high level of awareness and a willingness to take proactive health measures prior to marriage, demonstrating a favourable attitude toward genetic screening. Recommendations: The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children in collaboration with the Ministry of Education should develop a curriculum focused on educating the public about premarital genotype screening for sickle cell disease. This education should be delivered through various media channels, schools, health facilities, and public meetings to ensure that everyone in the community can participate in addressing and preventing sickle cell disease and is empowered to make informed choices in relation to genetic screening for Sickle Cell Disease before marriage. | |
| dc.description.sponsorship | Kairuki University | |
| dc.identifier.citation | Ndaigeze, Indo 2024. Determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Kairuki University | |
| dc.identifier.uri | http://kuir.ku.ac.tz:4000/handle/123456789/1443 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Kairuki University | |
| dc.subject | Sickle cell disease | |
| dc.subject | premarital genetic screening for SCD | |
| dc.subject | informed choice | |
| dc.title | Determinants of perception and willingness to uptake premarital screening test for sickle cell disease among health sciences undergraduate students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | |
| dc.type | Thesis |