Keyuh Azesu Nyituse and Asanghanwa Milca*

Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon

*Corresponding Author: Asanghanwa Milca, Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Bamenda, Bambili, Cameroon.

Received: September 13, 2023; Published: October 20, 2023

Abstract

Background/Aims: The term sickle cell disease (SCD) refers to a collection of hemoglobinopathies (inherited blood disorders) characterized by abnormal hemoglobin and produced through the homozygous inheritance of a sickle cell allele. Heterozygous inheritance results in a condition known as sickle cell trait (SCT). Individuals with sickle cell trait have a 50% chance of passing the gene to future offspring. The sickle cell trait is also known to be associated with several rare but serious complications including renal complications, renal cancer, spleen damage, and exercise-related sudden death. We therefore aimed to determine the prevalence of sickle cell trait and sickle cell disease amongst students attending the University of Bamenda and to assess their knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the disease.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving students of the University of Bamenda, with blood samples collected and analyzed (Hb Electrophoresis) at the Bamenda Regional Hospital between April and June, 2020. Questionnaires were used to obtain socio-demographic data.

Results: There were 250 participants. Forty (16%) participants had the sickle cell trait and no participant (0%) was positive for sickle cell disease. Of the 40 participants with SCT, 14 (5.6%) were males and 26 (10.4%) females. Thus, majority (84%) of the participants carried the normal gene (AA). Most students (> 90%) had knowledge of sickle cell trait and disease and of the opinion to consider genetic counseling and testing before marriage as the appropriate preventive measure to control the disease in the society.

Conclusion: Sickle cell disease amongst students of University of Bamenda is rare. However, more than 10% of the students had the sickle cell trait, underscoring the importance of disease sensitization and genetic screening to curb the burden of SCD in this region of Cameroon.

 Keywords: Genetic Counselling; Newborn Screening; Sickle Cell Disease; Sickle Cell Trait; Haemoglobin Electrophoresis

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Citation

Citation: Keyuh Azesu Nyituse and Asanghanwa Milca. “Prevalence of Sickle Cell Disease Among Undergraduate Students of the University of Bamenda, North West Region of Cameroon”.Acta Scientific Medical Sciences 7.11 (2023): 102-107.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2023 Keyuh Azesu Nyituse and Asanghanwa Milca. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.