Primary prevention of hemoglobinopathies by prenatal diagnosis and selective pregnancy termination in a Muslim country: Oman

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. 血红蛋白病（HBP）是一种在阿曼最常见的遗传性疾病，由于其高发的B型地中海贫血症及镰状细胞症，相关的预防措施对于这一国家来说，相当重要。产前诊断（PD）和选择性终止妊娠被证实是针对管控血红蛋白病（HBP）的最有效方法。然而，由于受到宗教、文化和伦理抵制堕胎的影响，产前诊断（PD）并不能在该国得以应用。我们对该国一部分血红蛋白病患夫妇做了一项关于产前诊断的意向调查。2011年一月至2012年一月，我们在马斯喀特（阿曼首都）的一家婚前诊所对35对夫妇做了相关的采访调查。调查的问卷是事先设置好的。大部分（94%）夫妇表示接受产前诊断如果相应的措施能得到广泛的普及，但是他们对于选择性终止妊娠的态度受到了其宗教价值观的极大影响。

Keywords

• prenatal diagnosis, medical abortion, Islam, Oman.