Factors Affecting Premarital Sickle Cell Screening Uptake Among Pregnant Women Attending Antenatal Clinic At Lira Regional Referral Hospital: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundSickle cell disease (SCD), a genetic disorder marked by abnormal hemoglobin, poses a significant public health burden globally, affecting 20-25 million people, with a high prevalence and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa where over 300,000 infants are born annually with the disease. Uganda bears the fifth-highest global burden of SCD and ranks first in East Africa. Lira City reports a sickle cell trait prevalence of over 20% and a disease prevalence of 2%. The high teenage pregnancies in the region further underline the need for targeted premarital sickle cell screening. ObjectiveTo determine the level of uptake and factors affecting the premarital sickle cell screening among pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years attending antenatal clinic at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. MethodsA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 170 pregnant women aged 18 to 35 years attending Antenatal care at Lira Regional Referral Hospital. Sample size was determined using the Kish-Leslie formula, 1965. Systematic random sampling was used to select study participants. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered via Kobo Collect and analysed using STATA version 18. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression were used at bivariate and multivariate level. ResultsOf the 170 respondents, only 14.7% had undergone premarital sickle cell screening. Uptake was significantly associated with having seen a PSCS-related poster (AOR = 7.71, 95% CI: 1.60-37.17) and having visited a health facility specifically for PSCS (AOR = 9.09, 95% CI: 15.54-54.22). ConclusionThe uptake of Premarital Sickle Cell Screening (PSCS) was low at 14.7%, mainly due to limited awareness and poor health-seeking behavior. Exposure to PSCS posters and visits to health facilities were significantly associated with higher uptake. The study recommends increased sensitization and promotion of good health-seeking practices to improve screening rates.