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Article

Primary Prevention of Hemoglobinopathies by Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Pregnancy Termination in a Muslim Country: Oman

by
Suha Mustafa Hassan
1,2,*,
Egbert Bakker
2,
Cornelis L. Harteveld
2 and
Piero C. Giordano
2
1
Molecular Genetic Laboratory, National Genetic Centre, Muscat, Oman
2
The Reference Hemoglobinopathies Laboratory, Department of Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Thalass. Rep. 2014, 4(1), 4171; https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2014.4171
Submission received: 22 May 2014 / Revised: 28 June 2014 / Accepted: 31 July 2014 / Published: 19 November 2014

Abstract

Hemoglobinopathies (HBP) are the most common genetic disorder in Oman and are in need of prevention programs due to the high incidence of β-thalassemia major and sickle cell disease. Prenatal diagnosis (PD) and selective pregnancy termination is shown to be the most effective prevention tool for the control of HBP. However, PD is not available in Oman thus far because abortion is subject to religious, cultural and ethical issues. We have examined the attitude of a number of Omani HBP carrier couples towards prenatal diagnosis and selective abortion. We have interviewed 35 couples at risk visiting the main premarital clinic in Muscat between Jan 2011 and Jan 2012. Couples were interviewed using a pre-structured questionnaire. The majority would have accepted prenatal diagnosis (94%) if the service would be available in the country but pregnancy termination was greatly influenced by religious values.
Keywords: prenatal diagnosis; medical abortion; Islam; Oman prenatal diagnosis; medical abortion; Islam; Oman

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Hassan, S.M.; Bakker, E.; Harteveld, C.L.; Giordano, P.C. Primary Prevention of Hemoglobinopathies by Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Pregnancy Termination in a Muslim Country: Oman. Thalass. Rep. 2014, 4, 4171. https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2014.4171

AMA Style

Hassan SM, Bakker E, Harteveld CL, Giordano PC. Primary Prevention of Hemoglobinopathies by Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Pregnancy Termination in a Muslim Country: Oman. Thalassemia Reports. 2014; 4(1):4171. https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2014.4171

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hassan, Suha Mustafa, Egbert Bakker, Cornelis L. Harteveld, and Piero C. Giordano. 2014. "Primary Prevention of Hemoglobinopathies by Prenatal Diagnosis and Selective Pregnancy Termination in a Muslim Country: Oman" Thalassemia Reports 4, no. 1: 4171. https://doi.org/10.4081/thal.2014.4171

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