Attitude and Knowledge of Participating Couples Towards the Premarital Hemoglobinopathy Screening Program in Duhok–Iraq.

Rebeen Abdulsalam  Mohammed Sediq; Salar Ayoub  Sulaiman; Nasir  Al-Allawi

doi:10.56056/amj.2024.302

Authors

Rebeen Abdulsalam Mohammed Sediq MBChB; Senior House Officer, Department of Hematology, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, KRG, Iraq
Salar Ayoub Sulaiman MBCHB, MSc, FIBMS; Lecturer, College of Health Sciences, Department of medical laboratory sciences, University of Duhok, KRG, Iraq
Nasir Al-Allawi MBChB, MSc, PhD, FRCPath; Professor of Haematology, Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, KRG, Iraq

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56056/amj.2024.302

Keywords:

Hemoglobinopathies, Iraq, Sickle cell disease, Thalassemia

Abstract

Background and Objectives: The premarital screening program for hemoglobinopathies was initiated in the Kurdistan region nearly 15 years ago. In the current study we aimed to assess the attitude and knowledge of the targeted couples, since these are among the main determinants of its success.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study we recruited consecutive 1100 couples attending premarital screening center in Duhok-Iraq between November 2022 and March 2023. The participants had their demographic data collected, and attitude towards the premarital screen was assessed. A subgroup was further scrutinized on their knowledge on the program and hemoglobinopathies.

Results: While 99.8% of enrollees considered premarital screen important, only 10.5% choose to abandon their marriage plans if they were identified as couples-at-risk. Of those proceeding with marriage, 94% wanted to do testing to determine whether their babies are affected, yet only 5.7% would consider aborting it, citing religious or cultural prohibition. In the subset where knowledge was assessed, it was found that only 6% and 20% had good knowledge as it related to hemoglobinopathies and premarital program respectively. There was a significant association between positive attitude and knowledge (p=0.019).

Conclusions: The current study underscores the barriers facing the successful implementation of the premarital program and the serious knowledge gaps among the public about it. The need to introduce targeted educational initiatives to better inform the public of their choices is paramount.

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