Health beliefs of unmarried adult Saudi individuals toward safe marriage and the role of premarital screening in avoiding consanguinity

A nationwide cross-sectional study

Bibliographic Data

ID22071422
AuthorsReem M Alwhaibi (0000-0001-5950-0497, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Afrah Almuwais (0000-0002-2774-868X, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Afrah K Almuwais, Madawi H Alotaibi (0009-0006-9507-4142, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Madawi Alotaibi, Hanan M AlTaleb (0000-0003-4861-9593, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Shatha M Alsamiri (Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University), Ruqaiyah Khan (0000-0001-7443-6956, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume12
Pages1379326-1379326
Publication date2024-06-19
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2024.1379326
PMID38962764
OpenAlexW4399829008
LanguageEN
References cited30

Introduction Premarital screening (PMS) is an essential global measure that seeks to reduce the occurrence of specific genetic disorders and sexually transmitted diseases common in consanguineous marriages. Due to the lack of a nationwide study, this research was designed to comprehend how unmarried individuals perceive the risks and benefits of PMS. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire distributed through different social media platforms, responses from the native adult population (18–49 years) Saudi Arabia was only included in the study. The questionnaire was based on the Health Belief Model (HBM) to assessing seven different constructs including susceptibility, seriousness, benefits-, barriers-, & cues- to action, self-efficacy, and social acceptance. Data frequency was represented by mean and standard deviation; chi-square and t -tests were conducted for the comparison of independent and dependent variables. A multinomial logistic regression was used to predict factors influencing decisions related to PMS. Results 1,522 participants completed the survey, mostly 18–25 years old and most of them were women. The majority were single with 85 men and 1,370 women. Most participants (59.6%) believed their parents were related, while 40.5% did not. 122 respondents reported they had to marry within their tribe. Findings revealed significant correlations among all HBM themes, with varying strengths. Notably, a moderate positive relationship was found between the perception of benefits and cues to action, suggesting that enhancing the perceived benefits of PMS could facilitate safe marriage practices. Multinomial regression analysis revealed that demographic factors and health beliefs significantly influence individuals’ intentions and behaviors toward PMS and safe marriage. Conclusion The study concludes that by identifying and addressing barriers, and promoting positive social acceptance, PMS can significantly contribute to preventing genetic diseases and promoting safe marriage practices, although the cross-sectional design limits the establishment of causal relationships and further research is needed

Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Health belief model · Health promotion · Logistic regression · Multinomial logistic regression · Population · Public health · Seriousness · BRCA gene mutations in cancer · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders · Iron Metabolism and Disorders · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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