Medical Science
Volume 24, Issue 104, July - August, 2020
Level of awareness regarding Thalassemia, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Mohammed S Sabr1, Abdulaziz M Alsulaiman1, Ahmed M Alsheikh1, Fayez M Alahmari1, Sultan M AlDajani1, Mohammed M Bakri1, Mustafa S Smaisem1, Waleed E Abdulmotalib1, Yousef M Alfauri1, Amar Fathi Mohamed Khalifa2
1Medical students at Almaarefa University, Saudi Arabia
2Assistant professor, College of Medicine, Almaarefa University for Science & Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia- P.O.Box 71666
Riyadh (Diriyah) 11597
ABSTRACT
Background: Thalassemia is one of the most common autosomal recessive and familiar hemoglobin disorders. Objective: This
research aims to assess the level of awareness regarding thalassemia in Riyadh. Methodology: Institutional based cross-sectional,
conducted in Riyadh PHC centers, including adults, and excluding health care personnel. 260 respondents chosen through
systematic random sampling, data collected using a self-administered questionnaire includes information about causes risk factors,
clinical picture, management, and prevention developed specifically for the purpose of this study. Statistical Package for Social
Science (SPSS) was used to interpret data. Significance was considered if P-Value ≤ 0.05. Results: A significant statistically relation (pvalue
0.047) between income and level of awareness regarding the management of thalassemia. (65.8%) of participants had a high
level of awareness regarding complications. Risk factors have shown that (47.7%) had moderate awareness. 75% had poor
knowledge regarding the clinical picture. There is a significant relationship between the level of education and prevention (p-value
0.008). Conclusion: The level of awareness regarding thalassemia is around moderate, except for the clinical picture which is low.
There is a relation between the educational level and the awareness in regards of prevention and risk factor of thalassemia.
Keywords: Thalassemia, Awareness, Riyadh, Hemoglobinopathies, Saudi Arabia
Medical Science, 2020, 24(104), 2475-2481
