الفهرس 
IntroductionOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
 |  | from | 181 |  |  |
| | | from | 181 | | |
Abstract
Background: Premarital care (PMC) is a global activity aiming to prepare the future couples to healthy martial life by diagnoses, treating unrecognized disorders and reduce transmission of diseases to couples. Aim: This study aimed to explore couples’ knowledge and experiences regarding premarital care. Study design: A mixed study design was utilized (descriptive cross-sectional and qualitative exploratory study design). Setting: The study was carried out at Mansoura New General Hospital, Maternal and Child Care Center in Talkha and Mahallah Damna hospital, Dakahlia governorate, Egypt. Study subjects: A purposive sample was utilized on 110 . Tools: Two tools were used; a structure interview questionnaire to assess couples’ knowledge regarding premarital care and an in-depth open interview to assess couples’ experiences regarding premarital care. Results: less than half of participants had correct knowledge about the importance of PMC, more than half had partial correct knowledge about types of medical examination, less than half of couples had incorrect knowledge about diseases detected by premarital examination concerning experiences, time allocated for PMC was inadequate, receiving PMC together was better and there were feeling comfort with PMC settings availability and accessibility. Conclusion: less than one third of studied couples had good knowledge about premarital care in addition to there were negative experiences regarding PMC. Recommendations: Provide specific health education to couples to increase knowledge about importance of premarital care through booklets and brochures as well as broadcasting information about the premarital care program through different types of mass media.