Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program?
Background and objectives: The hemoglobinopathy preventive program in Duhok has been implemented since 2008. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the program through its ability to reduce the number of newly diagnosed cases. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we reviewed newly di...
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| Format: | Article |
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Kurdistan Higher Council Of Medical Specialties
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Advanced Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/665 |
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| author | Israa Khaleel Isamil Nasir Al-Allawi |
| author_facet | Israa Khaleel Isamil Nasir Al-Allawi |
| author_sort | Israa Khaleel Isamil |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and objectives: The hemoglobinopathy preventive program in Duhok has been implemented since 2008. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the program through its ability to reduce the number of newly diagnosed cases.
Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we reviewed newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathy patients in the period between Jan. 2016 and Dec. 2021 in Duhok, Iraq. Parents of patients were interviewed regarding premarital screening, counseling, and prenatal diagnosis. For those missed by former screening, further testing was performed.
Results: A total of 160 newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathies over the study timeframe were recorded, with a modest decline of these cases from 35 in 2016 to 21 in 2021. Of the 160 cases, 150 were available for assessment. The parents of 50 patients (33.3%) did premarital screening: 43 were identified to be at risk, but seven were missed. The parents of 100 patients (66.7%), however, did not do premarital screening. The most frequent reasons for not seeking prenatal diagnosis being unaware of availability/being too expensive (57.5%), or for religious/cultural beliefs (35.0%).
Conclusions: The modest reduction in the numbers of newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathies, should be viewed in context, but is below the ultimate aims of the program. There is a need to tackle the challenges posed by couples marrying despite risk, or before the program was initiated, as well as the availability, religious, and legal aspects of prenatal diagnosis and termination of affected pregnancies to ensure a more favorable outcome of the program.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a071217ee8aa49dbac455480db925e2f |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2958-8979 2957-3580 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Kurdistan Higher Council Of Medical Specialties |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Advanced Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-a071217ee8aa49dbac455480db925e2f2025-08-20T03:07:27ZengKurdistan Higher Council Of Medical SpecialtiesAdvanced Medical Journal2958-89792957-35802025-06-0110210.56056/amj.2025.353Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program?Israa Khaleel Isamil0Nasir Al-Allawi1MBChB; Senior House Officer, Department of Hematology, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Duhok, Kurdistan region, IraqMBChB, MSc, PhD, FRCPath; Professor of Hematology, College of Medicine, University of Duhok, Duhok, IraqBackground and objectives: The hemoglobinopathy preventive program in Duhok has been implemented since 2008. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of the program through its ability to reduce the number of newly diagnosed cases. Methods: In this retrospective descriptive study, we reviewed newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathy patients in the period between Jan. 2016 and Dec. 2021 in Duhok, Iraq. Parents of patients were interviewed regarding premarital screening, counseling, and prenatal diagnosis. For those missed by former screening, further testing was performed. Results: A total of 160 newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathies over the study timeframe were recorded, with a modest decline of these cases from 35 in 2016 to 21 in 2021. Of the 160 cases, 150 were available for assessment. The parents of 50 patients (33.3%) did premarital screening: 43 were identified to be at risk, but seven were missed. The parents of 100 patients (66.7%), however, did not do premarital screening. The most frequent reasons for not seeking prenatal diagnosis being unaware of availability/being too expensive (57.5%), or for religious/cultural beliefs (35.0%). Conclusions: The modest reduction in the numbers of newly diagnosed major hemoglobinopathies, should be viewed in context, but is below the ultimate aims of the program. There is a need to tackle the challenges posed by couples marrying despite risk, or before the program was initiated, as well as the availability, religious, and legal aspects of prenatal diagnosis and termination of affected pregnancies to ensure a more favorable outcome of the program. https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/665HemoglobinopathiesIraqPremarital screening program |
| spellingShingle | Israa Khaleel Isamil Nasir Al-Allawi Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? Advanced Medical Journal Hemoglobinopathies Iraq Premarital screening program |
| title | Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? |
| title_full | Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? |
| title_fullStr | Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? |
| title_short | Newly Diagnosed Cases of Major Hemoglobinopathies (2016-2021) in Duhok: How Effective is The Premarital Preventive Program? |
| title_sort | newly diagnosed cases of major hemoglobinopathies 2016 2021 in duhok how effective is the premarital preventive program |
| topic | Hemoglobinopathies Iraq Premarital screening program |
| url | https://amj.khcms.edu.krd/index.php/main/article/view/665 |
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