Level of Awareness about Thalassemia among Parents of Thalassaemic Children

Abstract

Background: To determine the level of awareness
about thalassaemia among parents of thalassaemic
children.
Methods: In this cross sectional study parents
(n=150) of patients suffering from beta thalassaemia
major were included. Information was collected on a
questionnaire consisting of all the necessary
information regarding thalassemia . Eight questions
related to knowledge regarding thalassaemia were
included. Finally the questionnaires from different
parents were analyzed and the result was
interpreted. The data was analyzed by SPSS version
16.
Results: Sixty percent parents were unaware about
the disease, 25% had a little knowledge about the
disease and only 15% knew about Thalassemia and
its complications.
Conclusion: Parental knowledge about
thalassaemia was inadequate. It is required to
educate not only parents but also general public to
create awareness about thalassaemia so that the
disease can be eradicated .