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<journal-meta>
<journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">IJMABHR</journal-id>
<journal-title-group><journal-title>International Journal of Medical and All Body Health Research</journal-title><abbrev-journal-title>IJMABHR</abbrev-journal-title></journal-title-group>
<issn pub-type="epub">2582-8940</issn>
<publisher><publisher-name>Anfo Publication House</publisher-name></publisher>
</journal-meta>
<article-meta>
<article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">402</article-id>
<article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.54660/IJMBHR.2025.6.4.38-48</article-id>
<title-group><article-title>Genetic Diversity of Sickle Cell Disease in Nigeria: Implication for Emerging Gene Therapy and Health Equity</article-title></title-group>
<contrib-group>
<contrib contrib-type="author" corresp="yes"><name><surname>Obaze</surname><given-names>Godfrey Eshikhena</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Chukwu</surname><given-names>Obinna Jacobs</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Idogho</surname><given-names>Obaro Princewill</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff2"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Olanrewaju</surname><given-names>Ademola Rasheed</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff3"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Mene</surname><given-names>Yetunde Victoria</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff4"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Okei</surname><given-names>Nyerovwo Charity</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff5"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Ayemoba</surname><given-names>Glory Abiola</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff6"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Olatokun</surname><given-names>Tobiloba Philip</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff7"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Tijani</surname><given-names>Fatima Tolulope</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff8"/></contrib>
<contrib contrib-type="author"><name><surname>Ali</surname><given-names>Auwal Shehu</given-names></name><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff9"/></contrib>
<aff id="aff1"><label>1</label>Department of Biochemistry, University of Nigeria, Nigeria</aff>
<aff id="aff2"><label>2</label>Public Health Administration, First Moscow State University (Sechenov University), Russia</aff>
<aff id="aff3"><label>3</label>Biomedical Engineering, Ulster University, United Kingdom</aff>
<aff id="aff4"><label>4</label>Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria</aff>
<aff id="aff5"><label>5</label>Health Management, University of New Orleans, United States</aff>
<aff id="aff6"><label>6</label>Nursing Science, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Nigeria</aff>
<aff id="aff7"><label>7</label>Environment Health, University of Illinois Springfield, United States</aff>
<aff id="aff8"><label>8</label>Department of Physiology, Bowen University, Nigeria</aff>
<aff id="aff9"><label>9</label>Department of Pharmacy, Federal Teaching Hospital, Nigeria</aff>
</contrib-group>
<pub-date publication-format="electronic" date-type="pub"><day>12</day><month>10</month><year>2025</year></pub-date>
<volume>6</volume>
<issue>4</issue>
<fpage>38</fpage>
<lpage>48</lpage>
<history>
<date date-type="received"><day>18</day><month>08</month><year>2025</year></date>
<date date-type="accepted"><day>19</day><month>09</month><year>2025</year></date>
</history>
<permissions><license license-type="open-access" xlink:href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/?utm"><license-p>CC BY-NC-SA 4.0</license-p></license></permissions>
<self-uri xlink:href="https://www.allmedicaljournal.com/article/402/genetic-diversity-of-sickle-cell-disease-in-nigeria-implication-for-emerging-gene-therapy-and"/>
<self-uri content-type="pdf" xlink:href="https://www.allmedicaljournal.com/article/402/download"/>
<abstract><p>Sickle cell disease (SCD) remains one of the most significant monogenic disorders globally, with Nigeria bearing the highest prevalence, accounting for nearly 50% of the world’s annual births with SCD. The genetic landscape of SCD in Nigeria is remarkably heterogeneous, characterized by diverse β-globin haplotypes, varying allele frequencies, and multiple genetic modifiers influencing clinical outcomes. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the molecular and haplotypic diversity of SCD in Nigeria and highlights its implications for disease phenotype, prognosis, and therapeutic response. We critically evaluate the current management landscape, including hydroxyurea therapy, transfusion programs, and newborn screening efforts, while identifying barriers to equitable access. Furthermore, we examine emerging gene therapy approaches—lentiviral gene addition, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing, and HbF reactivation—and assess their relevance to Nigeria’s unique genotype distribution and healthcare infrastructure. Finally, we discuss health equity, policy priorities, and capacity-building strategies necessary to ensure broad, affordable access to curative therapies. Our review underscores the dual imperative of scientific innovation and health equity to transform SCD outcomes in Nigeria.</p></abstract>
<kwd-group kwd-group-type="author"><kwd>β-Globin Haplotypes</kwd><kwd>Genomic Medicine</kwd><kwd>Genetic Diversity</kwd><kwd>Gene Therapy</kwd><kwd>Health Equity</kwd><kwd>Precision Medicine</kwd><kwd>Nigeria</kwd><kwd>Sickle Cell Disease</kwd></kwd-group>
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