Knowledge about human genetics among school students of eastern Nepal.
School students from 10 to 19 years of age are adolescents. Adolescent girls are usually exposed to consequences of early marriage, pregnancy and increased responsibility. Genetic disorders are important issues to persons of the reproductive age group. History-taking and screening-tests could uncover risk factors that require diagnostic testing during pregnancy. Therefore, the present survey was conducted among 707 school students (55.6% males, 44.4% females) to find out their knowledge about human genetics. Data were collected as written responses to a close-ended questionnaire. The knowledge of students about human genetic was found to be poor. The majority of students was not aware of the prevalence of genetic disorders in the community. Many students (75%) felt that genetic laboratory facilities and counseling services are necessary in this country. More than half of the students did not know the name of a hospital where genetic laboratory services are available. The study indicates that there is a need to introduce the basics of human genetics in the school curriculum and to implement strategies for awareness programs about genetic disorders and their early detection for possible intervention.
Jha
C B
CB
Department of Anatomy, B P Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. chandraj_2000@yahoo.com
Jha
N
N
Bhattacharya
S
S
Bhatta
N K
NK
Niraula
S R
SR
Maskey
D
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005826:Genetics, Medical / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009390:Nepal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires