Premarital screening presents an opportunity for individuals to become informed about their genetic predisposition to diseases. This study assesses the effect of genetic education on knowledge of would-be partners towards premarital genetic screening uptake in selected religious institutions in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. A quasi experimental of pretest/post-test research design was adopted and 109 respondents were randomly selected. A self-administered questionnaire was used to elicit information from respondents at both pre- and post-seminar. Analysis was done using descriptive and inferential statistics on Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 at 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that majority have heard of premarital genetic screening and were aware of the diseases meant for screening. Only 26.6% have ever gone for any premarital genetic screening. Overall, 40.4% and 88.1% had good uptake of premarital genetic screening before and after the seminar. Significant relationship exists between knowledge of premarital genetic screening in pre and post-seminar and between premarital genetic screening and the uptake (p < 0.05). Therefore, genetic education should be intensified for wolud-be partners in religious institutions.
Citation: Mary Idowu Edward, Mercy Olawumi Akinro, Oyekunbi Adebimpe Fatile and Alice Odunlayo Ayelabola (2022) Effect of Genetic Education on Knowledge of Would-Be Partners towards Premarital Genetic Screening Uptake in Selected Religious Institutions in Yenagoa, Bayesa State, Nigeria, International Journal of Micro Biology, Genetics and Monocular Biology Research, Vol.6, No.1, pp.10-28
Keywords: genetic education, premarital genetic screening, religious institutions, would-be partners
