Knowledge, Awareness and Opinion Related to Sickle Cell Disease Among the Professional College Students of Amravati, Maharashtra

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the awareness, clinical manifestations, treatment and populations at risk of Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) amongst the professional college students of Amravati district. This study was also focus on knowledge about carriers (HbAA) and sufferers (HbSS). The total 842 students from technical streams such as engineering, pharmacy and biotech were enrolled. All participants were assessed on their general knowledge of the disease. The structured questionnaire containing the questions on origin, prevalence, incidences, life expectancy, painful crisis, counseling methods, treatments, management, attitude and behavior towards SCD were provided to all participants. The results had shown that, only 144(17.1%) subjects were found to be known about SCD. Out of them, 56(38.8%) individuals had appreciable knowledge, 80(55.5%) had limited knowledge and 8(5.5%) had marginal knowledge of SCD. The 30.5%(n=44) respondents were known about need of blood transfusion and 18.75%(n=27) participants had knowledge of interrelation between sickle cell anemia and the disease jaundice be an important clinical complaint in SCD. 25.69% (n=37) respondents known to have about intimate relationship between sickle cell disease and pain crisis. Majority of respondents (512/842) was believed that, people should have knowledge and awareness about the genetic diseases that helps to restrict its further spread. Keywords: Sickle cell disease, Professional college, Amravati, Maharashtra