Awareness of Rhesus Incompatiblity and its Preventive Measures among Intending Couples Attending Marriage Counselling Class at Orthodox Churches in Nsukka Metropolis of Enugu State

Abstract

The study examined the awareness of rhesus incompatibility and its preventive measures among intending couples attending marriage counseling class at orthodox churches in Nsukka metropolis, Enugu State. Four research questions and one null hypothesis guided the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 57 intending couples attending marriage counseling class at three purposively selected orthodox churches. A valid and reliable questionnaire was used for data collection. Percentages were used to answer the research questions and chi-square statistic was used to test the null hypothesis at 0.05 level of significant. Results of the study, among others indicated that high (65.1percent) proportion of intending couples are aware of rhesus incompatibility and average (55.2percent) proportion are aware of preventive measures of rhesus incompatibility. Male and female intending couples showed no difference in their level of awareness of rhesus incompatibility (p=0.534>=0.05). Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended; among others that marriage counseling committee in various churches should include rhesus incompatibility counseling as an integral part of the marriage counseling class. They should also encourage couples who are rhesus negative to adopt preventive measures and seek specialized health care.