Distribution of Hematological Parameters and Some Infectious Diseases in Premarital Screening of Thalassemia Trait in Kirkuk City of Northern Iraq
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56286/yanvm467Keywords:
premarital screening, thalassemia, infectious disease, hematological parameters, Kirkuk city, IraqAbstract
Premarital screening is useful for detecting potential health problems among couples and their offspring, helping protect the community from the spread of diseases. In Kirkuk, individuals planning to marry are referred to the Central Public Health Laboratory, where they undergo tests to detect thalassemia, HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C and other sexually transmitted diseases. This study aimed to determine the distribution of hematological parameters, HIV, HBV, HCV, and venereal diseases among people with thalassemia trait who attended the Central Public Health Laboratory in Kirkuk. This study included 606 out of the 625 individuals diagnosed with thalassemia, comprising 419 (31.4%) males and 187 (14%) females. The ages of participants ranged from 15 to over 45 years; the largest age group was 25-34 years. Blood group O+ was the most common, followed by A+. In thalassemia participants, Laboratory findings demonstrated elevated levels of HbA2 and HbS, whereas mean corpuscular volume (MCV) values were lower than normal. Among the thalassemia group, no syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, or hepatitis C were detected. β-thalassemia is observed among thalassemia cases, with more common among blood group O+, and is associated with decreased blood levels. The prevalence of the β-thalassemia trait in Kirkuk governorate was 2.95%, according to the Kirkuk Central Public Health Laboratory statistics for 2024-2025.
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