Factors Influencing Beta-Thalassemia Awareness in Western India

Abstract

Context: Beta-thalassemia is highly prevalent in western India. Our organization runs a screening and prevention program to create awareness and reduce the incidence of homozygous beta-thalassemia cases. Aims: The study was designed to evaluate factors influencing awareness about Beta-thalassemia. Methodology: This cross sectional survey was conducted at six colleges, two medical clinics, and a thalassemia transfusion centre. It involved 398 adults (≥18 years).The survey form was objective and written in the local language. Statistical analysis was done using Chi square test in SPSS software version 20. Results: All the participants knew that beta-thalassemia affected males and females equally. Correct responses to various questions varied from 6.5 % to 45.2 %. The participants with a positive family history or who were already tested for beta-thalassemia had significantly more knowledge (p < 0.0001), but even participants with first-degree relatives of Beta-thalassemia major didn’t have complete knowledge. Age and gender had no impact while education influenced only certain aspects. Conclusions: Cascade screening should be used to enhance already increased awareness in people with a positive family history. Aggressive screening of college students will be helpful as they are likely to use it in the near future reducing the incidence of homozygous beta-thalassemia.

Keywords

• beta-thalassemia
• screening
• prenatal diagnosis
• hypochromic microcytic anemia