Knowledge Regarding Sickle Cell Disease among Secondary Level Students of Banke, Nepal

Abstract

Sickle cell disease is a hereditary disorder caused by mutations in the HBB gene, and its inheritance pattern has significant implications for family planning. Studying this population provides valuable insight into their awareness of genotype testing, premarital screening, and preventive strategies. Early education and assessment at this stage can contribute to long-term public health interventions aimed at reducing the incidence of sickle cell disease. A descriptive cross-sectional research design was applied to conduct the study. Enumerative sampling technique was applied for the study. The study was conducted among secondary level students of Banke. Data was collected by using self-administered tool. The collected data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 16 through descriptive statics. The study revealed that most (80.5%) of respondents demonstrated inadequate level of knowledge, whereas one fourth (19.5%) of respondents had adequate knowledge regarding sickle cell disease.