Exploring The Level of Awareness Among the Parents of Beta Thalasemia Patients in District Swat

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited condition that affects globin
chain synthesis and affects hemoglobin production in various ways. The aim of the
study was to determine the level of awareness of parents of patients diagnosed with
beta-thalassemia (βT).
Methodology:Across-sectional descriptive study design was used to collect data
from parents of patient regularly visiting blood transfusion centers in Swat district
from February to March 2024. The sample size of the study was 235 using
purposive sampling technique, with data collected through a reliable and valid
questionnaire. The study was approved by the Ethics Review Board, with
informed consent obtained from each participant. Data were analyzed using SPSS
22 as descriptive and inferential statistics.
Results: In the current study, most of the parents were female 146 (62.1%), age
group 31-40 years 164 (69.8%), house wife 67 (28.5%), with a monthly income of
21,000 to 50,000 107 (45.5%), and parents without education with a civil registry
60 (25.5%). For most patients, the level of awareness was good (42%), followed
by poor awareness (31%), while 27% of participants' responses were neutral. Most
parents are aware of prohibited foods, thalassemia symptoms, preventive tests,
complications, drug avoidance, regular laboratory tests, thalassemia genetic
disorder, blood related marriages and HIVas a blood borne disease.
Conclusion: The study concluded that majority of the participant level of
awareness was good, but a national basis campaign is required that address the
preventive strategies to prevent thalassemia.