Contributions
Abstract: PB1817
Type: Publication Only
Session title: Thalassemias
Background
Prevention and control of thalassemia in a country needs public education to prevent marriages between carriers. Correct message has to be delivered to the community so that the public will understand the importance of prevention. Kurunegala is one of the districts in Sri Lanka where thalassaemia is highly prevalent.
Aims
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge on thalassemia of school children aged 14-17 years in Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka.
Methods
Descriptive cross-sectional study. Using probability proportional to size sampling technique, 55 clusters of 30 students in the age range 14-17 years each, were selected from all the schools in Kurunegala district. Within each selected school, the required number of children was selected randomly.
Results
Out of the participants (n=1821), majority (92.6%) had heard of thalassaemia before. Majority (83.4%) of participants showed high knowledge score regarding thalassaemia. Age, gender, ethnicity and the type of school correlated with knowledge score.
Conclusion
Based on study findings, students of Kurunegla district, showed satisfactory level of knowledge regarding thalassaemia. Good knowledge in young generation regarding the disease, diagnosis and prevention will reduce the incidence of thalassaemia in Kurunegala district in the future.
Keyword(s): Thalassemia
Abstract: PB1817
Type: Publication Only
Session title: Thalassemias
Background
Prevention and control of thalassemia in a country needs public education to prevent marriages between carriers. Correct message has to be delivered to the community so that the public will understand the importance of prevention. Kurunegala is one of the districts in Sri Lanka where thalassaemia is highly prevalent.
Aims
The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge on thalassemia of school children aged 14-17 years in Kurunegala district, Sri Lanka.
Methods
Descriptive cross-sectional study. Using probability proportional to size sampling technique, 55 clusters of 30 students in the age range 14-17 years each, were selected from all the schools in Kurunegala district. Within each selected school, the required number of children was selected randomly.
Results
Out of the participants (n=1821), majority (92.6%) had heard of thalassaemia before. Majority (83.4%) of participants showed high knowledge score regarding thalassaemia. Age, gender, ethnicity and the type of school correlated with knowledge score.
Conclusion
Based on study findings, students of Kurunegla district, showed satisfactory level of knowledge regarding thalassaemia. Good knowledge in young generation regarding the disease, diagnosis and prevention will reduce the incidence of thalassaemia in Kurunegala district in the future.
Keyword(s): Thalassemia