Evaluation of Premarital Screening tests in Babylon Governorate

Abstract

Background: Premarital screening program is a primarily preventive approach for premarital couples to improve women's wellness and subsequent pregnancy outcomes. Many young men and women need more information about reproductive health and access to services before having their first child. Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study conducted at ten hospitals in Babylon governorate. These  hospitals, selected according to the hospitals that have premarital screening clinic, By using a convenient sample method. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire approved by the Ministry of Health for the period (16^th  December 2020 – 31 March 2021). Results: The results of this study indicated that all hospitals had a full evaluation score (100%) regarding the presence of health, administrative, and service staff according to standards, specific records for premarital counseling, the presence of special site for storage records, result confidentiality, the availability of tests, availability of mobile in the clinic for contact with the couple in case abnormal test results, and sending a monthly statistic of those about to get married is submitted to the public health department. While there are two items that had a weak level (<50%) in all hospitals about "the lab is in the same unit" and "the presence of coordinator for the purpose of sending the result to court. Conclusions: We conclude the average percentage for premarital screening programs is 90.0% and this is considered a pass percentage for all the studied hospitals.