Sickle Cell Disease Knowledge and Reproductive Decisions: A Saudi Cross-Sectional Study

Mortadah Alsalman; Hassan Alhamoud; Zainab Alabdullah; Raghad Alsleem; Zainab Almarzooq; Fatemah Alsalem; Ahmed Alsulaiman; Abdullah Albeladi; Zaenb Alsalman

doi:10.2147/PPA.S404811

Sickle Cell Disease Knowledge and Reproductive Decisions: A Saudi Cross-Sectional Study

Patient Prefer Adherence. 2023 Mar 21:17:761-767. doi: 10.2147/PPA.S404811. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Mortadah Alsalman¹, Hassan Alhamoud², Zainab Alabdullah¹, Raghad Alsleem¹, Zainab Almarzooq¹, Fatemah Alsalem¹, Ahmed Alsulaiman³, Abdullah Albeladi², Zaenb Alsalman⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Medicine, King Fahad Hospital, Al Hofuf, Saudi Arabia.
³ College of Medicine, Vision Colleges, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Departments of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background and aim: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an autosomal recessive disorder. Decisions following premarital screening results might be influenced by several factors. Thus, this study aims to assess the knowledge and beliefs toward SCD and reproductive decisions.

Material and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among adults in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Data was collected using a web-based questionnaire. Participants were divided into two groups based on their knowledge scores.

Results: A total of 390 participants were recruited with a mean age of 28.6 years. The majority (90.5%) of participants had general knowledge about the disease mode of inheritance however, 66.9% had poor knowledge about the disease overall. Regarding knowledge level, there was no statistically significant difference between the non-healthy group (diseased and carrier) and healthy participants (P=0.304). Moreover, the participants' decisions about choosing future partners were more likely to be affected among those with prior knowledge about the disease (p=0.008). However, 152 (91.6%) male participants with prior knowledge would change their decision about selecting a future partner compared to 225 (92.4%) female participants. Regarding reproduction, only 38.5% of participants were aware of in vitro fertilization (IVF) as an assistive reproductive technology. Furthermore, female participants believed that IVF is a way to have healthy babies and would consider it despite the cost more than male participants (p=0.0001, p=0.007 respectively).

Conclusion: SCD is an inherited disease with economic, physical, and psychological burdens. However, curative options are costly, and hence, prevention is key. Therefore, healthcare decision-makers should consider implementing policies to minimize the financial burden that may still affect society despite the availability of free medical care. This study warrants extensive community-based education programs that may contribute toward cost savings. It also highlights the importance of premarital counselling for disease and carrier people including alternative reproduction options.

Keywords: counselling; in vitro fertilization; sickle cell disease.

Grants and funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not for fit sectors.