College student’s attitudes about SCD carrier screening

ABSTRACT

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorders that leads to several health problems ranging from delayed growths, recurrent infections, vision problems, chronic hemolysis, kidney disease to low quality of life and life expectancy. Beyond individuals and families, SCD has the potential of economically burdening communities and societies. A non-probability sampling approach using a convenience sample of college students was used for this study. Data were obtained through an online survey derived from a modified version of the Attitudes to Participation in Carrier Testing scale. Results indicated that overall participants had positive attitudes toward screening; however, only 26% knew their own carrier status highlighting the need for improved screening participation.

KEYWORDS:

• Sickle cell disease
• attitudes
• carrier screening
• college students
• prevention