title: [Attitudes and opinions of Palestinian decision-makers about premarital examination law].
abstract: We explored the attitudes and opinions of 90 Palestinian decision-makers about the draft law on premarital examination. The findings revealed that decision-makers were aware of the spread of genetic diseases but not infectious diseases. The majority agreed on the draft law; however, they differed on the mode of its application. Half believed that the law is not ready yet for application due to insufficient financial support to establish the needed infrastructure. The most significant recommendations made by the decision-makers were to: enhance community awareness of the law, ensure proper coordination among the concerned ministries and institutions, and establish a national organization to work on endorsement of the tests and issuance of the appropriate application strategies and regulations.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Public Health, AI-Quds University, Jerusalem, and Health Forum in Palestine, Ramallah. nsharif@med.alquds.edu
authors.forename: Nuha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El Sharif
authors.forename: Ayshea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rifai
authors.forename: Sana'a
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Assi
authors.forename: Amjad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al Hmidat
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D030342:Genetic Diseases, Inborn / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006287:Health Planning Guidelines; D006291:Health Policy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008877:Middle East; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011291:Premarital Examinations / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012749:Sexually Transmitted Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires