Abstract

Objectives: To explore the factors influencing prospective married individuals' willingness to undergo premarital screening tests in the Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia.
Methodology: This cross-sectional descriptive study included 378 participants aged 18-30 years from both genders. A non-probabilistic convenience sampling method was used. A validated questionnaire was utilized. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were employed to identify significant predictors of willingness to participate in premarital screening tests.
Results: Age, gender, educational level, and marital status were significant predictors of willingness to undergo premarital screening (p-value 0.0125, 0.0421, 0.0022, 0.0015, respectively). Males and younger individuals exhibited lower willingness, while higher educational levels and being married increased the likelihood of favoring premarital screening. The belief in the necessity of premarital screening emerged as a strong positive predictor of willingness.
Conclusion: This study highlights the influence of demographic and attitudinal factors on the acceptance of premarital screening tests in the Jouf Region. Targeted interventions, educational campaigns, and community engagement strategies addressing these factors are essential for promoting the widespread adoption of premarital screening programs.

Key words: Premarital screening, genetic testing, health behavior, Saudi Arabia.