Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Nursing - Department of Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing

Premarital examination is a worldwide activity that aims to diagnose and treat unrecognized disorders and reduce the transmission of diseases to couples and children. The aim of this study was to assess knowledge and attitude towards premarital examination between engaged couples attending to maternal and child health centers. A descriptive exploratory research design was utilized to achieve the study aim. Total of 100 engaged couples (100 male and 100 female) were recruited for this study based on the following inclusion criteria: between 18-45 years old, not married before but they will be soon married, willing to participate in the study and Egyptian couples. Structured interviewing questionnaire was developed by the investigator to collect the desired data related to socio-demographic, personal profile data, medical history and knowledge related to premarital examination, As well as attitude scale(likert scale). Results indicated that, half of the males their ages were between 26 to 30 years old, while most of females (90%) their ages were between 18 to 25 years old. All of the sample participants were educated. 87% of the female were not working, 35% of the male were working abroad, 37% male were self employment. The majority of the study 84% was residing in rural area. In relation to couples' knowledge about premarital examination, the results revealed that 54.5% of them defined it as performing medical examination before marriage. Regarding knowledge needed before marriage, most of the female (73%) knew that they need knowledge about fertility only. When asking the couples about the importance of premarital examination most of them (67.5%) knew that the importance is having healthy babies. Regarding to the couples attitude towards premarital examination, the study revealed that 93.5% of couples disagreed to the traditions that prevent them from examination before marriage, while 86.5% of the couples agreed with the idea that reported that the economic status affected with the genetic problems so, they also accepted receiving vaccine before marriage (72.5%), high significant relationship founded between total attitude and total knowledge(r=.613, p=**0.000)

Issued also as CD