Sickle Cell Carrier Frequency and the Need for Genetic/ Pre-marital Counseling among Students of a Nigerian University

Aims: To determine the sickle cell carrier frequency among undergraduate students of a Nigerian University with a view to evaluate the need to institute genetic and premarital counseling program.

Methodology: This was a retrospective study and record of haemoglobin electrophoresis results of students screened between May 2010 and April 2011 was obtained from Ebonyi State University Medical Center. Data was analyzed using Epi info software, version 3.5.4.

Results: Three thousand, two hundred and eighty three results were obtained comprising 1749 (53.3%) males. The age of the students ranged from 16 – 47 years with mean age of 22 ±5 years. Among the population studied, haemoglobin AA was 74.47%, AS 25.19%, SS 0.18%, AC 0.06%, SC 0.10%.

Conclusion: Sickle cell carrier frequency was found to be high among the study population. There is need to institute genetic and pre-marital counseling program among the students in order to help them take informed decision concerning their marriage so as to prevent procreation of children affected with sickle cell disease.