Knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease in a Rural Community of Delta State, South-South Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease is a chronic debilitating condition. Nigeria has the largest pool of the sickle cell gene in the world. Three to five million people are affected in Nigeria. Knowledge of the disease may help in reducing the national prevalence. Objective: To determine the level of awareness of sickle cell disease in a typical rural community of Delta State. Method: Structured researcher-administered questionnaires were used to collect information from residents of Akoku-Uno community of Delta state. Resuts: One hundred and seventy four (174) persons were surveyed . Ninety two (52.9%) were males while 82(47.1%) were females. About thirteen percent (13.4%) of the respondents have tertiary education. They were mainly farmers (31%) and Christians (77.6%)