SCHAF embarked on the GBT-sponsored project in November 2022. Part of the expected outcomes of this project “Community Approach to the Reduction of Sickle Cell Disease in Oyo State Nigeria” is to establish the Know Your Genotype (KYG) Club in selected secondary schools across the 5 NYSC Zones in Oyo State as a pilot.
SCHAF is focused on the 3 pillars, Prevention, Care, and Research. SCHAF’s Prevention initiatives include Awareness & Education programs, the establishment of Know Your Genotype (KYG) Clubs, and the use of ‘Point-of-care diagnosis for Genotype determination as well as Genetic Counseling. To further drive prevention through awareness programs, SCHAF embarked on the establishment of the Know Your Genotype (KYG) Club in different zones of Oyo State.
SCHAF has partnered with the leadership of Nigeria in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo state to develop a structured cohort of youth corpers as KYG ambassadors across the state. This is an introduction to the community service carried out during the yearlong national service for graduates of tertiary institutions. Permission was obtained from the state NYSC director, Local Government Inspectors, Zonal Inspectors, and Principals of the selected secondary schools across 5 Zones of Oyo State to develop the KYG clubs among pupils in the Senior secondary levels. The present cohort of youth corps volunteers will be involved in these activities from June 2023 to May 2024 as a pilot program for Nigeria. This cohort has been trained by the SCHAF team; and given Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials for their activities.
The aim of the secondary schools KYG clubs is to create a platform to cascade awareness and information to the most impressionable citizens of the state. It is believed that having adequate information at this age will help them to make informed decisions on care for friends with sickle cell disease, stop stigmatization, encourage a community of peer support for sickle cell patients, and increase awareness of the larger community. This is a long-term goal but effective in behavioral change as communities can own the program continuously.
According to NYSC specifications, five zones were selected, which include Ibadan South Zone, Ibadan North, Ibarapa Zone, Ogbomoso Zone, and Oyo Zone. The schools selected were Command Day Secondary School, Mokola, Ibadan (Ibadan South Zone), Community High School, Iwo Road (Ibadan North), Government Technical School, Iseyin (Ibarapa Zone), Baptist High School Ogbomoso (Ogbomoso Zone), and Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo (Oyo Zone).
With the timely assistance provided by the LI, ZI, and the principals of each school, educational materials were distributed to strengthen the knowledge of Sickle Cell Disease among club members. The establishment of the Know Your Genotype (KYG) Club was a huge success at Command Day Secondary School, Ibadan on 15th May 2023, Community High School, Iwo Road, Ibadan on 19th May 2023, Oba Adeyemi High School, Oyo on 23rd May 2023, Government Technical College, Iseyin on 1st June 2023, and Ogbomoso High School, Ogbomoso of Ogbomoso Zone on 22nd June 2023. This initiative aims to catch them young and make them an instrument of awareness and influence in behavioral change towards the prevention of SCD in Nigeria.
A total of 322 students are members of the KYG Club across the 5 zones of Oyo State. Ogbomosho High School has the highest number of members with 98 students, followed by Government Technical College, Iseyin with 78 students. Command Day Secondary School has 69 students, Oba Adeyemi High School has 56 students, and Community High School has 21 students.
