Abstract

Genetic education provides individuals and society with the autonomy to make informed decisions. Informed decisions are important for any genetic test including carrier screening so that individuals can make the best decision about testing for themselves. Genetic conditions such as sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis, and Tay-Sachs disease are some of the most common conditions where genetic education has had public health significance. This study, investigated the effect of genetic education on premarital genotype test services among undergraduates of University of Ibadan in Oyo State. The study was carried out using a non-randomized pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental research design and the data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics used were frequency count, simple percentage and pie chart while t-test and ANOVA were the inferential statistics used to determine the relationship between the independent and the dependent variables. 160 respondents who are volunteers were used. The study provided answers to four research questions and tested four hypotheses. Three of the four hypotheses were rejected while one was accepted. The result of the study shows that all the variables except one were independently significant. The study concluded that there is a significant difference in the pre-test and post-test scores on knowledge of the use of genotype test among undergraduates of University of Ibadan following a six weeks genetic education and recommend that there should be a means to encourage a transformation from passive knowledge in pre-marital genetic test gained through accidental learning, so there is an urgent need for the inclusion of health education into the curriculum of Nigerian University to be taught as a general course to all students.