Abstract: Background: Thalassemia is an autosomal recessive hereditary disease, which results in abnormal hemoglobin production. The patient is thus dependent on lifelong blood transfusions, as there is no effective therapy for it. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness about thalassemia disease among the residents of Quetta, Pakistan.
Methodology: This cross-sectional prospective study was conducted in Thalassemia Centers of Hospitals of Quetta, Pakistan from March 2016 to July 2016. Data was taken from 327 parents/guardians that were attending their patients in thalassemia centers of different hospitals, out of which 73 were discarded due to poor response; total data of 254 have been analyzed. Descriptive statistics (Frequencies, Percentages, Mean, and Standard Deviation) was used to summarize the data. Inferential statistics was applied by using Chi-square test. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant level.
Results: Results of the study showed a moderate level of awareness in-spite of having appropriate knowledge about the disease, its genetic transmission, and modes of treatment, prognosis, and complications. Still, there is a room for improvement regarding thalassemia awareness among the residents of Quetta. However, a significant influence of educational status was observed in the study results.
Conclusion: The results of the present study concluded that the people of Quetta had adequate level of awareness regarding the thalassemia disease, it’s mode of transmission, diagnosis and treatment.
