Attitudes of Couples attending Family Counselling Clinic in Sulaimani City towards the Premarital Screening and Genetic Counseling Programme

Abstract

Background and objectives: Premarital screening is an effective method for monitoring, reducing, and avoiding genetic abnormalities and certain viral infections. This study aimed to explore the attitudes of couples who attended a family counselling clinic in Sulimani City towards the premarital screening and genetic counselling programme. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 310 couples attending the family counselling clinic in Sulaimani City. The statistical analysis was performed by using descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis including frequency, percentage, mean and stranded deviation, independent samples T-Test and one way ANOVA (F-test). Results: The study findings revealed that the majority of the study participants were 20-30 years old. In terms of attitudes, 73.55% of the couples had a favourable attitude toward premarital screening and genetic counselling. There were statistically significant differences between couples' attitudes and age (p=0.012), educational level (p=0.013), and consanguinity (P < 0.001), but there were no statistically significant differences between couples' attitudes and gender (p=0.49), employment (p=0.785), residential area (0.116), and family history of hereditary blood disease (p=0.45) because of p-value >0.05. Conclusion: Couples' attitudes about premarital screening and genetic counselling programmes are positive.