The survey of the knowledge and practice of thalassemia couples based on Health Belief Model in Sistan area

Thalassemia is among the most common genetic diseases in humans that can largely be prevented if adequate levels of public knowledge are obtained. This study was designed based on the educational health belief model to assess knowledge and practice of thalassemia couples in prevention of incidence of major thalassemia. In this descriptive-analytical cross-sectional survey, 137 couples in Sistan area by systematic random sampling were selected. Data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability were proven by health educational specialists and Cronbach Alpha test. The data were analyzed in spss.15 software using descriptive and analytical statistics including Chi square test, T-test, and spearman correlation coefficient. The significant level was set as 0.05. The mean scores of knowledge and practice of participants out of 20 and 14 were 13.6 ± 2.8 and 10.8 ± 2, respectively. Only 11.7 percent of participants had good level of knowledge, and 62.8% had good level of severity perceived 48.9% (n = 67) of them had done the first stage of prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia (PND) and 38.7% the second stage of PND. There was a statistically significant relationship between the constructs of health belief model and the participants’ knowledge and practice (p< 0.05). Since majority of participants did not have adequate information about genetically preventive procedures about major thalassemia, it is necessary to hold training programs to improve their knowledge about thalassemia.