Awareness and Acceptability of Prenatal Diagnosis of Sickle Cell Disease among Mothers of Affected Children in a Northern Nigerian Teaching Hospital

Nigeria has the highest global prevalence of sickle cell disease (SCD), necessitating effective preventive measures to control the disease. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) is a key early intervention for SCD, yet there is a shortage of studies in Northern Nigeria focusing on mothers of children with SCD. These mothers not only carry the burden of the disease but also face the risk of having more affected children, making them vital stakeholders in managing and controlling SCD. Objectives: This study assessed the awareness and acceptability of prenatal diagnosis PND for SCD among mothers of children with the disease. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 297 mothers of children with SCD attending the Paediatric Haematology clinic at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire addressing the characteristics of the children and mothers, as well as their awareness, attitudes, and acceptability of PND. SPSS version 23 was used for data analysis, with a p-value