Pre-Marital clinical Test among Intending couples in baghdad: clinical Findings Knowledge and Attitudes

Abstract

Pre-marital clinical tests are essential part of every national health system. They provide proper medical care early to prevent unnecessary stress and burden during marriage. This study was set to investigate the clinical findings as well as knowledge and attitude toward these tests among intending couples (n=244 couples, age mean 25.7 years ranged from 15 to 75 years) in Al-Yarmuok Hospital, Baghdad-Iraq, during September 2016-December 2017. The results showed that the Rh incompatibility ratio was relatively high when 17.5% (37/244) of the couples have different Rh blood groups (Rh-/Rh+). A significant number (9.43%) of Rh-females who were intending to marry from Rh+ blood-types partners was identified in the present study. The result of HIV, HBV, HCV and VDRL viral screening showed a significant number of the intending couples (13.73%(67/488)) have serious viral infections. The awareness levels of the importance of premarital screening tests were 67% and 64.4% in males and females respectively. In terms of knowing the complications of blood group incompatibility during/after pregnancy, a similar positive attitude was shown by males and females toward this concept (64.92% and 65.87% respectively). While the vast majority (67.82%), of the investigated individuals, from both genders, do not know what precaution should be taken if a mother's blood is Rh negative. 70.3% of the marriages were between non-consanguineous couples.