Abstract

Background: Sickle cell disease (SCD) and thalassemia are the two most common hemoglobin disorders in the world. Premarital screening (PMS) of SCD and thalassemia is mandatory in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine the level of the knowledge and awareness toward PMS of SCD and thalassemia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Makkah, Saudi Arabia among 374 participants from the general population who resided in Makkah participated in the study. A self-administered online questionnaire included questions about knowledge, awareness, and attitude toward PMS.
Results: Around 51.1% showed satisfied knowledge regarding PMS, and 48.9% had unsatisfactory knowledge. Good knowledge level was detected among 57.4% participants aged 36-44 years as compared to 35.4% of 18-25 years age group with statistically significant difference (p = 0.018). Also, 53.9% university graduated participants had good knowledge and awareness regarding PMS versus 38% participants with a secondary level of education (p = 0.049). Almost 55.2% married participants had a good knowledge level for PMS as compared to 40.4% of the single group (p = 0.049).
Conclusion: More efforts about awareness and significance of premarital counseling advice regarding inherited blood disorders are required in the public, through social media, and educational campaigns. Achieving an early genetic screening could help in improving the acceptance of the test and have higher impact.

Key words: Premarital screening, thalassemia, sickle cell disease, knowledge, public health.