Perception of sickle cell haemoglobinopathy among 'would-be' counsellors

Fifty-six paramedical personnel in training as Community Health Officers (CHO) and Nurse Tutors were interviewed by a self administered questionnaire as to personal information and what they know and believed about sickle cell haemoglobinopathy. Even after the normal course of lectures on the haemoglobinopathies as given for their training as CHO's, many of them still did not fully understand the topic as shown by mixed up and confusing answers given to questions. As a result of the maturity and exposure as community health workers, they are being proposed for retraining as counsellors with regards to the haemoglobinopathies. From our findings to this study it appears that using a formal lecture schedule would not be adequate in intimating this group with the problems they would likely encounter as CHO's in practice. A training programme should also include organised group discussions designed to detect biases and prejudices and correct them before certification as community health officers.