Premarital Counseling and Screening Awareness and Perception among Alfajr College for Science and Technology Medical Students, Khartoum, Sudan, 2021

Abstract

Background: Premarital counseling and screening is an intervention that helps couples to start a healthy marital life. The screening involves examinations and tests that are performed before marriage to detect certain genetic blood disorders and infectious diseases to prevent and decrease the incidences of these conditions.
Aim: To assess the awareness and perception of premarital counseling and screening among Alfajr College for Science and Technology medical students in 2021.
Method: The study was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, institutional- based study conducted in Alfajr College for Science and Technology medical students, Khartoum, Sudan.
The calculated sample size was 300 students. They were distributed by stratified sampling technique between medical students from levels 2 to 5. The study collected data from medical students registered at the College through telephone interview using an adapted questionnaire. The questionnaire covered the socio-demographic characteristics, student awareness about premarital counseling and screening program’s components, importance, time and sources of their awareness as well as the perception of the students regarding the program in form of their beliefs and willingness to practice and advocate for the program. Data was analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0. Descriptive and Inferential statistics were used. Ethical considerations were observed throughout the study.
Results: A 100% response rate was obtained from the targeted students. Participants who had an idea about Premarital Counseling and Screening constituted 78.7% of the sample. The commonest source of information (49.6%) was social media, followed by college staff (27.1%) and friends (22%).The health care services were the least common source of information (1.3%).