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Comparative Study
. 2019 Jan;14(1):69-79.
doi: 10.1177/1747493018790059. Epub 2018 Jul 24.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of West Africans on genetic studies of stroke: Evidence from the SIREN Study

Rufus O Akinyemi  1   2   3 , Fred S Sarfo  4 , Joshua Akinyemi  5 , Arti Singh  4 , Matthew Onoja Akpa  5 , Albert Akpalu  6 , Lukman Owolabi  7 , Abiodun M Adeoye  1   8 , Reginald Obiako  9 , Kolawole Wahab  10 , Emmanuel Sanya  10 , Morenikeji Komolafe  11 , Godwin Ogbole  12 , Michael Fawale  11 , Philip Adebayo  13 , Godwin Osaigbovo  14 , Taofiki Sunmonu  15 , Paul Olowoyo  16 , Innocent Chukwuonye  17 , Yahaya Obiabo  18 , Olaleye Adeniji  3 , Gregory Fakunle  8 , Ezinne Melikam  8 , Raelle Saulson  19 , Joseph Yaria  20 , Kelechi Uwanruochi  17 , Phillip Ibinaiye  9 , Ganiyu Adeniyi Amusa  14 , Isah Suleiman Yahaya  7 , Abdullahi Hamisu Dambatta  7 , Mercy Faniyan  8 , Peter Olowoniyi  17 , Andrew Bock-Oruma  18 , Odo Chidi Joseph  20 , Ayodipupo Oguntade  20 , Philip Kolo  10 , Ruth Laryea  6 , Sulaiman Lakoh  20 , Ezinne Uvere  8 , Temitope Farombi  20 , Josephine Akpalu  6 , Olalekan Oyinloye  10 , Lambert Appiah  4 , Benedict Calys-Tagoe  6 , Vincent Shidali  9 , Nasir Abdulkadir Tabari  7 , Oladimeji Adebayo  20 , Richard Efidi  20 , Osi Adeleye  3 , Dorcas Owusu  4 , Luqman Ogunjimi  20 , Olumayowa Aridegbe  3 , Chidiebere Lucius Imoh  14 , Taofeeq Sanni  16 , Mulugeta Gebreziabher  19 , Tiwari Hemant  21 , Oyedunni Arulogun  22 , Adesola Ogunniyi  8 , Carolyn Jenkins  19 , Mayowa Owolabi  1   8 , Bruce Ovbiagele  19
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Knowledge, attitudes and practices of West Africans on genetic studies of stroke: Evidence from the SIREN Study

Rufus O Akinyemi et al. Int J Stroke. 2019 Jan.

Abstract

Background: It is crucial to assess genomic literacy related to stroke among Africans in preparation for the ethical, legal and societal implications of the genetic revolution which has begun in Africa.

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) of West Africans about stroke genetic studies.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among stroke patients and stroke-free controls recruited across 15 sites in Ghana and Nigeria. Participants' knowledge of heritability of stroke, willingness to undergo genetic testing and perception of the potential benefits of stroke genetic research were assessed using interviewer-administered questionnaire. Descriptive, frequency distribution and multiple regression analyses were performed.

Results: Only 49% of 2029 stroke patients and 57% of 2603 stroke-free individuals knew that stroke was a heritable disorder. Among those who knew, 90% were willing to undergo genetic testing. Knowledge of stroke heritability was associated with having at least post-secondary education (OR 1.51, 1.25-1.81) and a family history of stroke (OR 1.20, 1.03-1.39) while Islamic religion (OR=0.82, CI: 0.72-0.94), being currently unmarried (OR = 0.81, CI: 0.70-0.92), and alcohol use (OR = 0.78, CI: 0.67-0.91) were associated with lower odds of awareness of stroke as a heritable disorder. Willingness to undergo genetic testing for stroke was associated with having a family history of stroke (OR 1.34, 1.03-1.74) but inversely associated with a medical history of high blood pressure (OR = 0.79, 0.65-0.96).

Conclusion: To further improve knowledge of stroke heritability and willingness to embrace genetic testing for stroke, individuals with less formal education, history of high blood pressure and no family history of stroke require targeted interventions.

Keywords: African; Sub-Saharan Africa; chronic disease; developing countries; genetic disorders; stroke.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of conflicting interests

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

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