JOURNAL
Current Issue
Journal Archive
.............................................................
August 2021 -
Volume 19, Issue 8


View this issue in pdf format

........................................................
From the Editor

........................................................

 

Primary Health Care in Pandemics: Barriers, Challenges and Opportunities
Tawfik A M Khoja, Waris Qidwai, Salman Rawaf, Faisal A Alnaser, Kashmira Nanji, Abdullah T Khoja, Nabil Yasin Al Kurashi, Nagwa Eid Sobhy Saad, Wafa Halasa, Taghreed M Farahat, Mohammed Al Shafaee, Mariam Al Shetti, Muntazar Bashir, Wadeia Alsharief, Rihab AlWotayan, Saied Alimky, Huda al-duwaisan
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94090

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on career perceptions among medical students in (IMSIU)
Abdulmalk Abdullah Almadhi, Abdulaziz H Alhorishi, Abdullah Z Alnamshan, Faris A Alkhamis, Ruba S Alosaimi, Turki Y Alassaf, Fahad A Alateeq
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94091

Public willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccine in Saudi Arabia
Abdulrahman Alamri, Noura Ali Alshahrani, Alaa Abdulrahman Al Bakita, Anhar saud alqahtani, Jamilah Hassan Aldaleel Alshahrani, Maram saad Alshahrani
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94092

Original Contribution

A Multicenter Cross-sectional Study to Assess the Knowledge of Oral Health Problems Among Diabetes Patients in Saudi Arabia
Afnan A. Malibari, Mariann H. Al-Jehani, Dareen A. Qattan, Noor S. Alharbi, Morooj H. Alharbi, Hanan S. Bin Yahib, Abdullah M Alzahrani
[pdf]
[Abstract]

DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94093

Prevalence and Co-occurrence of Major Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorders Among Adolescents in Qatar
Muneera Al-Muhannadi, Khalid Al-Karbi, Hashed Ahmed Ali Amran, Amr Faisal Alsharafi, Omar Taha Alabbas, Khalid Al-Marri, Mohamed Salem
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94094

Efficacy of curcumin on inflammatory pain across different disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of Randomized controlled trials
Khalid Al-Karbi, Muneera Al-Muhannadi, Yosaf Al-Rabeei, Rashed J. Al-Kubaisi, Ahamad Bawazir, Mohamed H Mahmoud
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94095

Teachers' awareness regarding first-aid management and control of epistaxis inside schools in Taif region, Saudi Arabia
Sattam Aljuaid, Rahaf A. Alqahtani, Sarah H. Alqasem, Yara T. Alsulaimani, Shahad A. Alqahtani, Shmookh M. Alsalmi, Rawan M. Altowairqi
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94096

Relationship between Socioeconomic Status and Parental Feeding Practices for Children 3-5 years old
Eman Elsayed Sedik Ibrahim, Rasha Saad Alkholy, Heba Galal Elnahas, Marwa Sayed Mohamed Said
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94097

Perception, feedback regarding post-surgical complications of tracheostomy
Ali Maeed Suliman Al-Shehri, Alaa Abdulrahman H Alshehri, Wajd Abdulwahab Saeed Almathami, Zoha Saleh A Alghamdi, Afnan Sultan M Alshehri, Azza Mofareh Obaid Almarir, Raghad Abdullah Y Asiri, Rehab Saleh M Al doban, Shuruq Zafer A Alshehri
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94098

Assessment of Health Care Workers' Knowledge and Practice Toward Infection Standard Precautions in Primary Health Care setting, Buraidah, Saudi Arabia
Hanein Saad ALjohani, Amel Abdalrahim Sulaiman
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.940103

Population and Community Studies

Special Editorial: Bashing and murder of doctors and health care workers in Myanmar
Lesley Pocock
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.940104

Prevalence, Awareness and Perception of Influenza Vaccine among Geriatrics in Abha region, Saudi Arabia
Mona Majrashi, Abdulrahman Majrashi, Amani Osman, Safar Abadi Al-Saleem
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94099

The pattern of diabetic foot and its complications in Albaha, Saudi Arabia
Ahmed H AlGhamdi, Ali G AlGhamdi, Anwar A AlGhamdi, Mohammed A Aldokhi, Amal M AlZahrani, Ebtehal S AlGhamdi, Ahmed A AlZahrani, Riyadh Abdullah Alghamdi
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.940105

Awareness regarding diabetic peripheral neuropathy and its risk factors among diabetics in Muhayil City, Saudi Arabia
Mosa Bahhary, Yahia M. Alkhaldi, Safar A Alsaleem
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94100

Prevalence, determinants and impact of migraine on quality of life of healthcare workers at primary healthcare centers in Abha City, Saudi Arabia
Fahad Jaber Salman Alfaifi, Mohammed Yahia Qasim, Adel Mushref Al-Harban, Saeed Saad A Alqahtani, Nasser Mubarak S Alshahrani
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94101

Burnout among the Directors of the Internal Medicine Residency Training Program in Saudi Arabia
Mohammed Abdulrahman Basheikh
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94102

Review

Barriers to Premarital Thalassemia Screening in Asia
Nazish Jaffar, Laaraib Khan, Urooba Imran Ahmed, Nimra Hussain Vistro, Amna khan, M. Yousuf Memon
[pdf]
[Abstract]
DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94106

Middle East Quality Improvement Program
(MEQUIP QI&CPD)


Chief Editor -
Abdulrazak Abyad MD, MPH, MBA, AGSF, AFCHSE

.........................................................

Publisher -
Lesley Pocock
medi+WORLD International
AUSTRALIA
Email
: lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au
.........................................................

Editorial Enquiries -
abyad@cyberia.net.lb
.........................................................

Advertising Enquiries -
lesleypocock@mediworld.com.au
.........................................................

While all efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this journal, opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Publishers, Editor or the Editorial Board. The publishers, Editor and Editorial Board cannot be held responsible for errors or any consequences arising from the use of information contained in this journal; or the views and opinions expressed. Publication of any advertisements does not constitute any endorsement by the Publishers and Editors of the product advertised.

The contents of this journal are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Australian Copyright Act, no part of this program may be reproduced without the permission of the publisher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   
August 2021 - Volume 19, Issue 8

Barriers to Premarital Thalassemia Screening in Asia

(1) Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology, SMC, JSMU
(2) Jinnah Sindh Medical University
(3) Professor Community Health Sciences (Systematic Research) Agha Khan University

Corresponding Author:
Dr Amna Khan
Address: Pathology Department, Sindh Medical College, Jinnah Sindh Medical University, HJ Rafiquee Shaheed Road, Karachi, Pakistan.
Mobile: 03035167967
Email: amnasajidkhan@gmail.com

Received: June 2021; Accepted: July 2021; Published: August 1, 2021. Citation: Nazish Jaffar et al. Barriers to Premarital Thalassemia Screening in Asia. World Family Medicine. 2021; 19(8):
146-153 DOI: 10.5742/MEWFM.2021.94106

Abstract


Thalassemia is a genetic disorder of hemoglobin synthesis. Every year 70,000 infants are born with beta thalassemia globally. Its incidence can be reduced by premarital thalassemia screening This review aims to focus on barriers to premarital thalassemia screening and to observe the current thalassemia practices in Asian countries.

This study was conducted on six countries of Asia based on economic status according to World Bank criteria. High income states included Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and Oman, Iran constituted an upper middle-income country and in lower middle-income category Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh were considered. Search engines like PubMed, Research Gate and Google scholar were used to look for relevant articles from 2005 to 2019. A total of (89) articles were reviewed and (61) articles were finally selected to be included in this review.

In Saudi Arabia, major obstacles for premarital thalassemia screening included planned weddings (43%), fear of social disgrace (21%), pressure from family (17%), and religious factors (14%). While in Oman, 4% of the people feared positive results and also considered it as an insult. Amongst the Iranian population, financial burden on couples, disease phobia, fear of positive results, difficulty in accessibility, tribal variances and sociodemographic factors were frequent hindrances to a screening program. Religious factors, financial constraint and lack of awareness cause reluctance in Pakistan and Bangladesh. Moreover, in Sri Lanka, factors like cancellation of marriage and sociocultural norms were identified as negative outcomes of the screening.

In conclusion, a negative attitude and reluctant response to premarital thalassemia screening was observed in people belonging to all the countries included. Major contributing factors were religious misconceptions, social stigma, varying ethnicities, low financial status and poor accessibility to screening programs.

Key words: Beta thalassemia, thalassemia screening, premarital screening, consanguineous marriage, social impact







 


 

.................................................................................................................