Knowledge and Perception of Nursing Students Towards Premarital Genetic Counselling for Sickle Cell Disease in College of Nursing Sciences, Ado-Ekiti

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited blood disorders characterized by the presence of abnormal hemoglobin (HbSS), which causes red blood cells to become rigid and crescent shaped. This study assessed quantitatively assessed the knowledge and perception of premarital genetic counselling in the prevention of SCD among nursing students in a college of nursing sciences, Ado Ekiti. A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed, and data were collected from 195 participants using structured questionnaires. Analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27 and presented as frequency and percentage. The findings revealed a high level of knowledge (86%) and perception (93%), but a moderate level of practice (67%) of premarital genetic counselling was. About 90.3% of the respondents had heard of PGC, and 86.2% understood its purpose as assessing genetic compatibility, with over 90% acknowledging its importance. However, only 44.1% had attended a counselling session, and 63.1% had undergone genotype testing. Cultural and religious beliefs were cited as barriers to participation, even though 80.5% supported involving religious leaders in promoting PGC. The study recommends enhanced curriculum content, increased clinical exposure, community engagement, and nurse-led initiatives to promote Premarital genetic counselling and reduce the prevalence of SCD. Nurses and related healthcare workers were also encouraged to organize more outreach programs in secondary schools and tertiary institutions to encourage early knowledge of genotype compatibility.