Outcome of premarital counseling of hemoglobinopathy carrier couples attending premarital services in Bahrain

ABSTRACT

Premarital screening was introduced in 1993 as an optional service. Evaluation of 10 years statistics in 2003, showed only 25% attendance. Therefore, a Royal decree of compulsory testing before issuing marriage health certificate was introduced in 2005 in order to improve attendance aiming to decrease the prevalence of hereditary blood diseases. To determine the frequency of marriage among couples referred for hereditary blood diseases genetic counselling. A cross sectional study involving 1070 individuals attending premarital screening in Bahrain during the period of 1st April and 15[th] May 2006. The frequency of sickle cell disease [SCD]; 14[1.3%], sickle cell trait [SCT]; 175[16.4%], 22 couples were both SCT. The frequency of G6PD was 268 [24%]. One candidate [0.09%] was [beta thalassemia major, 30[2.8%] beta thalassemia trait, 3 couples were carriers. 365[34%] individuals with low RBC indices indicating possible alpha thalassemia including 5 couples. Thirty couples [60 individuals] were referred for genetic counseling with a mean age of 25.7 years. 17 couples [56.7%] got married in spite of counseling. Based on this study; the current policy of premarital screening and counseling do not seem to be successful in discouraging most of the couples with high-risk for hereditary blood diseases from getting married