%0 Journal Article
%T Knowledge and attitude toward genetic diseases and genetic tests among pre-marriage individuals: A cross-sectional study in northern Iran
%A Ali Vali
%A Alireza
%A Ataei
%A Dariush & Siamy
%A Ghasemi
%A Golamreza
%A Hashemi-Soteh
%A Mohammad Bagher
%A Nejad
%A Rita
%A Tafazoli
%J International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine
%D 2019
%X Background: Genetic testing has been widely introduced for many hereditary disorders. While the attitudes towards these facilities have been evaluated in many countries, there are only a few reports on the knowledge of and the orientation among Iranians. Objective: The current study assesses the attitudes and knowledge of pre-marriage individuals toward the availability and use of genetic tests. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive questionnaire was distributed among 408 marrying individuals. The questions addressed the demographic characteristics along the registration of participant¡¯s knowledge, education, and attitude toward genetic testing. The individuals were divided into three groups based on their knowledge: 1) Scored above 80 to 100 were defined as ¡°good¡± 2) 60 to 80 as ¡°average¡± 3) less than 60 as ¡°poor¡± knowledge. Result: Most participants (86%) believed consanguineous marriages increase the risk of genetic diseases; 82.3% knew that thalassemia is a type of genetic disease, only 33.3% could distinguish prenatal diagnosis (PND) from other laboratory tests. The relationship between the participants¡¯ knowledge and their level of education was significant (r = 0.78, p < 0.001), age (r =£¿£¿0.16, p < 0.01), and urbanity (p < 0.01). A prominent relationship was observed between the knowledge (r = 0.64, p < 0.001) or education (r = 0.62, p < 0.001) and people¡¯s desire to use the genetic tests before the wedding ceremony. No significant correlations were found between the participant¡¯s attitude and their ages/urbanity. Most of the individuals agreed to arrange a genetic counseling before marriage (0.94%). Conclusion: This study revealed that most individuals were interested in using genetic counseling services and genetic tests before marriage
%U http://www.bioline.org.br/abstract?id=rm19058&lang=en