Community awareness of hereditary blood diseases and the benefit of premarital screening program in Saudi Arabia

Sickle cell disease is a group of inherited syndromes characterized by the presence of hemoglobin S, abnormal hemoglobin that is poorly soluble and polymerizes when deoxygenated, which results in sickle-shaped erythrocytes. These syndromes manifest with vaso-occlusive phenomena and hemolytic anemia. SCD in Saudi Arabia, which suffers from high consanguinity marriage rates, creates a fertile environment for it to spread deep into its roots. This study has targeted the Saudi Arabian community based on wondering why after a decade and a half ago of applying to premarital screening programs still SCDs a health and social issue. By using an online questionnaire covering the kingdom's regions, surveyed all Saudi communities. A total of 11276 participants completed the questionnaire; Women represent 70.6% of the participants, while men represent 29.4%. The educational level of the participants was high with 69.8% having a university education and 27.9% having high school. The unmarried participants represent 63.8% (N = 7873), who show positive awareness and perception regarding the impact of hereditary blood diseases on quality of life and the use of the premarital examination program. Married participants represent 36.2% (N = 4091) of total participants which 44.98% (N = 1840) of them have consanguinity marriage and 55.1% (N = 2251) have no consanguinity. Remarkably, the percentage of affected children with SCD of a couple who has consanguinity marriage is almost the same percentage of affected children of couples with no consanguinity, but the severity and complications elevated more in children from consanguineous marriage.