Factors Influencing Acceptance of Newborn Screening for Sickle Cell Disease in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Maimuna Orahachi Yusuf¹, Iragbogie A. Imoudu², Peter Achem Shaibu³, Ahmad Ibrahim Muhammad⁴

Keywords: Newborn screening, sickle cell disease, knowledge, ac

DOI: 0.63475/yjm.v4i2.0151

DOI URL: https://doi.org/0.63475/yjm.v4i2.0151

Publish Date: 22-09-2025

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Pages: 386 - 393

Downloads: 2

Citation: 0

Author Affiliation:

1 Senior Consultant/Senior Lecturer, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare/Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
2 Chief Consultant/Associate Professor of Paediatrics, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare/Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
3 Medical Officer, Department of Paediatrics, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria
4 Scientific Officer/Research Assistant, Department of Paediatrics, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital, Azare, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic diseases worldwide, with very high prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa, especially Nigeria. Given the importanceand benefits of newborn screening (NBS), it is essential to assess awareness and acceptance of NBS for SCD and the factors influencing its acceptance in this region.

Methods: This was a hospital-based, cross-sectional study that examined pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic for their first visit between August 1 and October 31, 2023. This antenatal clinic has an average annual attendance of 1,521 pregnant women who come for their first visit. The data obtained were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics (version 20), and the results were presented in prose, tables, and figures as appropriate. A level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

Results: Three hundred and two (302) pregnant women were recruited for the study. Though there was low awareness (13.2%), there was a high acceptance rate (96.7%) of NBS for SCD amongst the women studied. However, the type of marriage (monogamous marriage, p = 0.029) was the only factor found to have a significant relationship with the respondents’ willingness to accept NBS for SCD.

Conclusions: Community education, with an emphasis on married couples, women of reproductive age, and religious leaders, should be intensified. The monogamous marriage setting may reflect marital stability, social support, or correlated socioeconomic factors on health decision-making. However, this may have different implications in different societies.

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