THALASSEMIA AWARENESS AMONG HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS

Hala Alsoukhni MD* and Majd Alsoukhni

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this survey is to determine the awareness about thalassemia among healthcare providers in two Royal Medical Services Hospitals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among healthcare professionals randomly selected in Prince Rashid Hospital in Irbid and Prince Hashim Hospital in Zarqa in Jordan. The employee who participated in this survey include physicians from different specialties, dentists, pharmacists, nurses, and laboratory technologists. The questionnaire contained 14 close ended questions regarding facts about thalassemia, disease transmission, parents’ consanguinity, screening, prevention and treatment. Results: Among 100 healthcare provider 64 were males and 36 were females. Fifty were physicians, 3 were dentists, 24 were laboratory technologist, 18 were nurses, and 5 were pharmacists. Responses to questions were 100%. Around 80% of responses were right. Conclusion: The awareness about thalassemia among healthcare professionals is adequate however; more education is necessary for this category about the disease transmission, prevention, and role of carriers’ recognition so they can be involved in a national programs for public awareness about thalassemia to help in disease eradication in Jordan.

Keywords: Thalassemia, Awareness, Survey.