Increased knowledge of thalassemia promotes early carrier status examination among medical students
Abstract: Thalassemia is an
autosomal recessive genetic disorder, in which the patient requires life-long
blood transfusion. As Indonesia harbors 6 to 10% thalassemia carriers,
thalassemia prevention measures such as early screening and education in the
community are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to explore the
knowledge, attitude and practice about thalassemia among young medical
students.
A cross-sectional analytic observational study was conducted on 179
subjects in 2015, using a questionnaire with items on knowledge, attitude and
practice about thalassemia for data collection. After signing informed consent,
the questionnaire was filled in by the students and a blood test was performed
when the students agreed to be examined. Detection of probable thalassemia
carrier status was done by determination of hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume
and mean corpuscular hemoglobin.
The knowledge about thalassemia of the first year medical students
(n=179) was good (21.1%), moderate (70.9%) and poor (21.1%). Only 67 (38.3%) of
the students agreed to a blood examination for determination of their carrier
status after filling-in the questionnaire. The knowledge of thalassemia among
first year medical students was statistically related to the timing when they
would agree to have their thalassemia carrier status examined (p=0.021, one way
ANOVA test).
A higher thalassemia knowledge score causes medical students to be
willing to undergo thalassemia carrier status examination at an earlier point
in timing. A well-organized educational program focusing on thalassemia and
early screening in young adults may enhance the thalassemia prevention program.
Author: Julius Broto Dewanto,
Haryono Tansah, Sari Puspa Dewi, Helena Napitu, Ramdan Panigoro, Edhyana
Sahiratmadja
Journal Code: jpkedokterangg150289