Thalassaemia screening in a non-prevalent region of a prevalent country (Turkey): is it necessary?


Acemoglu H., Beyhun N. E., VANÇELİK S., Polat H., Guraksin A.

PUBLIC HEALTH, vol.122, no.6, pp.620-624, 2008 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 122 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2008
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.puhe.2007.09.007
  • Journal Name: PUBLIC HEALTH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.620-624
  • Keywords: beta-thalassaemia trait, premarital screening, national policy, PREVENTION, EXPERIENCE, PROGRAM, TRAIT
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: No

Abstract

Objectives: Haemoglobinopathies are the most widespread inherited disorders in the world, and are also common in Turkey. Haemoglobinopathies are preventable with control programmes. Therefore, the Ministry of Health initiated a control and prevention programme in 33 provinces in Turkey. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of haemoglobinopathies in Erzurum as part of the programme mentioned above, and to discuss the need for premarital screening in a non-prevalent region (Erzurum) of a prevalent country (Turkey) as part of a national control programme.