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Impact of Genetic Counselling Education on Knowledge of Inherited Disease Prevention among Couples in Nigeria

Abstract

Inherited diseases are an important public health and reproductive health concern because genetic conditions may be transmitted from parents to their children and may contribute to lifelong health, developmental, and social challenges. Couples in Nigeria may have limited access to accurate information about genetic inheritance, carrier status, family history, genetic testing, reproductive options, and strategies for reducing the risk of transmitting inherited conditions. Limited genetic-health literacy, misconceptions about inherited diseases, cultural beliefs, stigma, financial barriers, and inadequate access to qualified genetic counsellors may further affect couples' ability to make informed reproductive and health decisions. Genetic counselling education provides an opportunity to improve couples' understanding of genetic inheritance, risk assessment, available testing, reproductive options, and appropriate preventive and healthcare services. Against this background, this study investigates the impact of genetic counselling education on knowledge of inherited disease prevention among couples in Nigeria. The study will be anchored on the Health Belief Model, Health Literacy Theory, and Social Cognitive Theory. The Health Belief Model explains how couples' perceptions of susceptibility to inherited diseases, perceived severity, perceived benefits of genetic counselling and appropriate testing, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and cues to action may influence their knowledge and reproductive health decisions. Health Literacy Theory emphasizes couples' ability to obtain, understand, evaluate, and apply accurate information concerning genetic inheritance, family history, carrier status, genetic testing, and available reproductive-health options. Social Cognitive Theory emphasizes observational learning, professional guidance, self-efficacy, reinforcement, social support, and environmental influences in shaping couples' understanding and use of genetic-health information. Collectively, these theoretical perspectives provide a suitable framework for explaining how genetic counselling education may influence knowledge of inherited disease prevention among couples in Nigeria. The study will adopt a quantitative quasi-experimental or analytical cross-sectional research design. The study population will comprise married or intending couples of reproductive age attending selected antenatal, preconception, fertility, family-planning, primary healthcare, and other relevant health services across Nigeria. A multistage sampling technique will be used to select geopolitical zones, states, local government areas, communities, healthcare facilities, and eligible couples. Genetic counselling education will be assessed using indicators such as exposure to counselling sessions, frequency and duration of education, information on genetic inheritance, family history, carrier status, inheritance patterns, common inherited conditions, consanguinity where relevant, genetic testing and screening, preconception assessment, prenatal screening, reproductive options, available specialist services, confidentiality, informed consent, misconceptions, stigma, and appropriate referral pathways. Knowledge of inherited disease prevention will be assessed using indicators such as understanding of how inherited conditions are transmitted, recognition of family-history risk, awareness of carrier status, knowledge of genetic testing and screening, understanding of preconception and prenatal options, recognition of available reproductive choices, knowledge of appropriate healthcare and genetic counselling services, and ability to distinguish evidence-based genetic information from myths and misconceptions. Data will be collected using structured questionnaires, standardized genetic-health knowledge assessment tools, scenario-based questions, counselling records where ethically and practically accessible, and pre-test and post-test assessments where a quasi-experimental intervention is adopted. Descriptive statistics will be used to summarize participants' demographic and reproductive characteristics, previous exposure to genetic information, family-health history where relevant, sources of genetic-health information, and knowledge levels. Inferential statistical techniques, including chi-square tests, paired and independent t-tests, correlation analysis, and logistic or multiple regression analysis where appropriate, will be used to determine the impact of genetic counselling education on knowledge of inherited disease prevention. Where a quasi-experimental design is adopted, knowledge scores before and after the educational intervention may be compared with those of a comparison group to determine changes associated with the intervention. Diagnostic tests will also be conducted to assess the reliability, validity, and robustness of the findings. The study is expected to find that genetic counselling education has a significant positive impact on knowledge of inherited disease prevention among couples in Nigeria. Couples exposed to structured, evidence-based, culturally sensitive, and professionally delivered genetic counselling education are expected to demonstrate greater knowledge of inherited disease risks and available prevention or risk-reduction options than couples without comparable exposure. Education may improve understanding of genetic inheritance, family history, carrier status, genetic testing, preconception screening, prenatal screening, and available reproductive-health options. It may also correct misconceptions that inherited diseases are caused solely by environmental or supernatural factors and reduce stigma associated with genetic conditions. Improved knowledge may encourage couples to discuss relevant family health histories, seek appropriate genetic counselling, consider recommended screening or testing when indicated, and make informed reproductive decisions. However, cultural beliefs, stigma, fear of genetic testing, financial constraints, limited availability of genetic counsellors, inadequate laboratory services, concerns about confidentiality, and misconceptions about reproductive options may reduce the effectiveness of education alone. The study therefore expects accessible, evidence-based, culturally appropriate, confidential, and sustained genetic counselling education to contribute significantly to improved knowledge of inherited disease prevention among couples in Nigeria. The study is expected to contribute to the literature on genetic counselling, inherited disease prevention, genetic health literacy, reproductive health, preconception care, genetic testing, prenatal screening, family health, health education, and public health in Nigeria. The findings will provide useful information to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, state ministries of health, hospitals, fertility and reproductive-health centres, genetic counselling services, laboratories, healthcare professionals, professional organizations, development partners, and policymakers regarding strategies for strengthening genetic-health education and prevention. The study will also provide evidence-based recommendations for integrating genetic counselling education into preconception and reproductive-health services, strengthening healthcare-provider capacity in genetic communication, improving access to appropriate genetic testing and counselling, addressing stigma and misconceptions surrounding inherited diseases, strengthening referral pathways, protecting confidentiality and informed decision-making, and developing sustainable genetic-health programmes that support informed reproductive decisions and reduce preventable risks associated with inherited diseases across Nigeria.

Keywords: Genetic counselling education, knowledge of inherited disease prevention, couples, inherited diseases, genetic health literacy, genetic testing, carrier screening, preconception care, prenatal screening, reproductive health, Nigeria, public health.