Postmarital follow‐up survey on high risk patients subjected to premarital screening program in Saudi Arabia

Sulaiman, Ayman Al; Saeedi, Mohammad Y.; Suliman, Ahmed; Owaidah, Tarek

doi:10.1002/pd.2507

Cited by 37 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Alhamdan et al [20] reported a 10.4% at-risk marriage cancellation rate in 2004-2005. Alswaidi and O'Brien [10] reported a rate of 11.8% for 2005-2006 and Al Sulaiman et al [21] reported a rate of 2%, while Memish and Saeedi [1] found a rate of 26.5% in 2004-2009. An increasing at-risk marriage cancellation trend of 9.2% in 2004 to 51.9% in 2009 was found [1].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Exploring the Effectiveness of Mandatory Premarital Screening and Genetic Counselling Programmes for β-Thalassaemia in the Middle East: A Scoping Review

Saffi

Howard

2015

Public Health Genomics

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Background: β-Thalassaemia is a common genetic blood disorder in the Middle Eastern region. Mandatory premarital screening and genetic counselling (PMSGC) programmes are implemented in 8 Middle East countries to reduce at-risk marriages and thus disease prevalence. A scoping review was conducted to explore the effectiveness of these programmes. Methods: The 6-stage scoping framework of Arksey and O'Malley [Int J Soc Res Methodol 2005;8:19-32] was used. Reported outcomes were analysed per country, with success defined as achieving a 65% reduction in at-risk marriages and/or thalassaemia-affected births. Emergent enablers and barriers were analysed thematically. Results: Twenty-one sources were included from the 1,348 identified, discussing 7 country programmes, with 95% (20/21) published during 2003-2013. Five publications each were included for Iran and Saudi Arabia, 3 for Turkey, 2 each for Bahrain and Iraq (Kurdistan), and 1 for the United Arab Emirates, plus 2 multi-country evaluations. No programme achieved a 65% at-risk marriage cancellation rate. Though data on thalassaemia-affected birth reductions were minimal, programmes in Iran, Turkey and Iraq reported at least 65% reductions. A thematic analysis found that screening timing, access to prenatal detection and abortion, socio-religious issues, awareness and counselling affected decisions. Conclusion: This review found that PMSGC programmes were unsuccessful in discouraging at-risk marriages but successful in reducing the prevalence of affected births in countries providing prenatal detection and therapeutic abortion. A life cycle approach to prevention, incorporation of school screening, awareness campaigns, reconsideration of therapeutic abortion, and screening and counselling of couples married prior to programme inception are likely to improve the effectiveness of such programmes in the Middle Eastern region.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Bahrain, Iran, Iraqi Kurdistan, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey) included indicators of programme effectiveness, shown in table 3 [1,4,10,12,13,14,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27]. One source reviewing the United Arab Emirates programme included satisfaction surveys and recommendations but provided no statistics [8].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Effectiveness of Mandatory Premarital Screening and Genetic Counselling Programmes for β-Thalassaemia in the Middle East: A Scoping Review

Saffi

Howard

2015

Public Health Genomics

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“…The reasons for such high rates of those proceeding with their marriage plans, which were also reported following premarital carrier screening programs in Saudi Arabia [21,22], are mainly due to social and cultural obligations and commitments as the premarital screening is performed only a few days prior to the actual legal ceremony. Such a situation would mean that the couple's options to avoid having affected children would be more or less restricted to PND, and also means that PND should be among the priorities of the health authorities to ensure effective prevention.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Premarital Screening for Hemoglobinopathies: Experience of a Single Center in Kurdistan, Iraq

Al-Allawi

Al-Doski²,

Markous³

et al. 2015

Public Health Genomics

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Background: A program for the prevention of major hemoglobinopathies was initiated in 2008 in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. This study reports on the achievements and challenges of the program. Methods: A total of 102,554 individuals (51,277 couples) visiting a premarital center between 2008 and 2012 were screened for carrier status of hemoglobinopathies, and at-risk couples were counseled. Results: A total of 223 (4.3/1,000) couples were identified and counseled as high-risk couples. Available data on 198 high-risk couples indicated that 90.4% proceeded with their marriage plans, and 15% of these married couples decided to have prenatal diagnosis (PND) in subsequent pregnancies with the identification of 8 affected fetuses; all were terminated as chosen by the parents. Thirty affected births were recorded among the high-risk couples. The premarital program managed to reduce the affected birth rate of major hemoglobinopathies by 21.1%. Of the 136 affected babies born during the study period, 77.9% were born to couples married prior to the start of the program, while 22.1% were born to couples identified as having a high risk. The main reason for not taking the option of PND was unaffordable costs. Conclusions: Financial support would have increased opting for PND by high-risk couples. Further reduction in affected birth rates could be achieved by including parallel antenatal screening programs to cover those married before the initiation of the premarital program and improving the public health education and counseling programs.

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“…Furthermore, consanguineous marriages are widespread within many Saudi communities as traditional practice even though the practice is discouraged by Islam (Alsulaiman, Saeedi, Alsuliman, & Owaidah, 2010). As Modell and Darr (2002) argue in relation to consanguineous marriages; "Although the custom is often perceived to be associated with Islam, in fact itisindependentofreligion" (p. 225).…”

Section: Premarital Screening Programs 24mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Indeed, concern around the social stigma and family pressure are significant mediators that challenge the cancellation of marriages (Alswaidi et al, 2012). Emotional factors also played a significant role in decision-making regarding high risk marriages, with 98% of incompatible individuals marrying, despite being caught between the opposing forces of love and cultural requirements (Alsulaiman et al, 2010). A newspaper report reflected the public view that traditions and emotion had subjugated the risks associated with marriage between individuals with genetic disorders (Daoud, Albahs, & Alharthi, 2011).…”

Section: Negotiating Reality 73mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Construction of Sickle Cell Disorder in Saudi Arabia: The Invisible Disease

Abunar¹

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Postmarital follow‐up survey on high risk patients subjected to premarital screening program in Saudi Arabia

Abstract: This study showed some early benefits of the PMS in prevention of the targeted diseases and the program helped in early detection of the disease in their offspring.

Cited by 37 publications

References 12 publications

Exploring the Effectiveness of Mandatory Premarital Screening and Genetic Counselling Programmes for β-Thalassaemia in the Middle East: A Scoping Review

Exploring the Effectiveness of Mandatory Premarital Screening and Genetic Counselling Programmes for β-Thalassaemia in the Middle East: A Scoping Review

Premarital Screening for Hemoglobinopathies: Experience of a Single Center in Kurdistan, Iraq

The Construction of Sickle Cell Disorder in Saudi Arabia: The Invisible Disease

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