Awareness for Diagnosis, Management and Preventive Options of Thalassemia

Abstract

Objective: To assess the frequency of individuals having awareness regarding diagnosis, management and prevention of Thalassemia. Method: A simple random sampling technique was used for 130 participants in this descriptive cross sectional study. The designed questionnaire including te demographics, awareness about diagnosis, management and prevention was used for the study. Results: Overall females had more awareness than males. 37% (n=48) males and 44% (n=57) females said they were not tested for thalassemia. 40% (n=52) males and 45% (n=58) females said they do not have thalassemia in their family. 37% (n=48) males and 49% (n=64) females responded that pre-marital screening could be beneficial. 22% (n=29) males and 42% (n=55) females responded that thalassemia could be prenatally diagnosed. Only 15% (n=19) males and 39% (n=51) females knew about chorionic villous sampling. 34% (n=44) males and 43% (n=56) females said thalassemia is treatable. 35% (n=45) males and 48% (n=62) females said thalassemia could be fatal. 34% (n=44) males and 44% (n=57) females think that thalassemic patients could lead a normal life with appropriate Management. Conclusion: Awareness regarding diagnosis from blood, pre-marital screening, Management and different treatment modalities (Blood Transfusion, BMT), fatality and severity of disease among non-medical related individuals is less as compared to medical related individuals but in some cases medical related professionals also had very less awareness like prenatal diagnosis and chorionic villous sampling.