Sickle cell disease is a genetic disorder caused by abnormal haemoglobin that damages and deforms red blood cells. Haemoglobin S differs from haemoglobin A by the substitution of valine for glutamic acid at position 6 in the beta chain. World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised sickle cell disease in Africa as a major problem of public health importance. The main objective of this study is to assess knowledge of sickle cell disease and haemoglobin profile of students of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria. A cross sectional study was carried out between June, 2007and December, 2008. Out of the 3495 respondents, 53% were males and 47% were females.95% were single and 5% married. About 63% of the respondents did not know their haemoglobin genotype. The mean age is 22 ± 3.9 years and 45.8% of the students were within the age bracket of 20-24 years. The knowledge of sickle cell disease was found to be below average (36.7%), average (43.3%) and above average (20.0%). 80.2% of the students have normal genotype (Hb AA), 15% Hb AS (carriers),1.7%HbAC,0.6%HbSC and 2.5% Hb SS (sicklers).There is need for adequate education on sickle cell disease and need for students to know their haemoglobin profiles.

Keywords: Sickle cell disease, knowledge, haemoglobin profile, University Students, Nigeria