Knowledge and attitudes towards premarital health care among couples attending premarital clinics in Assiut city

ABSTRACT

Premarital health care is one of the most important strategies for prevention of genetic disorders, congenital anomalies and several medical, psychosocial marital problems. Assess knowledge and attitudes of premarital couples towards premarital examinations and counseling in Assiut City. This cross sectional study was conducted in three premarital clinics in Assiut City, from June to August 2010. A simple random sample of 706 respondents [345 males and 361 females] completed semi-structured questionnaires by direct interviews. The collected data included socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge and attitudes of the respondents towards premarital heath care. The mean age of the studied sample was 26.4 +/- 5.9 years. A total of 434 subjects [61.5%] were from urban areas. The majority of the studied couples. [97.2%] were previously heard about premarital health care. Most of the respondents mentioned laboratory investigations as a mandatory component of premarital health care, while counseling was reported by 6.3% only. 30.5% didn't know about the availability of laboratory investigation such as voluntary HIV testing and hepatitis viruses B and C at premarital health care investigations. There was good knowledge about premarital health care among premarital couples but many did not know its components and available investigations. There is a need for health education about the importance of the premarital care and its services