Efficacy of premarital genotype screening and counselling on knowledge toward Sickle Cell disease among university students in Dodoma Tanzania: uncotrolled quasi-experimental study

Abstract Background Tanzania is experiencing the increase burden of Sickle cell disease, with an estimate of 20.6% prevalence Sickle Cell carriers. However, there is no preventive measure has been put in this area by the government; a great focus has been directed in the diagnosis and management and national guideline emphasis on the care of people affected by Sickle Cell Disease. Methods A non-controlled quasi-experimental study was conducted from June to September 2020 among 697 randomly recruited first-years university students from the University of Dodoma. Pre and post-test knowledge information were collected through structured self-administered questionnaires. Data was analyzed using SPSS v20. Simple and multiple linear analysis model was used to test for significant association of variables at 95% CI, at p<0.05. The results were presented using tables and figures. Results The mean knowledge score at pretest was 0.009±1.014 which improved to 0.365±0.901 on the posttest, with a statistically significant difference (t=6.965, p<0.01). The results of linear regression showed that knowledge change was not statistically associated with other predictors (p>0.05) Conclusion Health education demonstrated to be effective towards change in knowledge on sickle cell disease among University students.