Fahad Alswaidi|Sarah J. O’Brien
Premarital screening programmes for haemoglobinopathies, HIV and hepatitis viruses: review and factors affecting their success
University of Manchester|University of Manchester
literature review comprehensive summary premarital prenuptial screening programmes prevalent hereditary haemoglobinopathies namely thalassaemia sickle cell disease important infections hiv human immunodeficiency virus hepatitis viruses b c hbv hcv describes background premarital screening programmes value countries diseases endemic use premarital screening worldwide critically evaluated including recent experiences saudi arabia followed discussion outcomes programmes despite many benefits premarital testing acceptable communities various legal religious reasons educational cultural factors may prevent married couples following advice given counsellors success programmes therefore depends adequate religious support government policy education counselling contrast premarital screening haemoglobinopathies premarital screening hiv hepatitis viruses still highly controversial terms ethics costeffectiveness wealthy countries premarital hepatitis hiv testing could become mandatory atrisk highprevalence populations clearly identified ethical issues adequately addressed