Scarcity of Awareness and Level of Misconception about Thalassemia around the Population of Kolkata and Neighbouring Places- A Preliminary Study

Abstract

Thalassemia is a genetic disorder caused by the inheritance of mutated and abnormal genes involved in the production of hemoglobin from the parents. Thalassemia is most seen in Mediterranean region, Middle East, South-East Asia, Africa, and Indian subcontinent. It is also known as The Mediterranean Disease. The study aims to focus on the awareness of thalassemia among the population of Kolkata, emphasizing on college and university going students. A questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 55 willing participants in a 6-week tenure, from June to July 2022. The study used data visualization method and descriptive statistics for understanding the level of awareness, perception about thalassemia among the participants. The mean knowledge percentage was 25.43% which was analyzed by calculating the points obtained by the participants allotted to each question, the point range was 2­–22 in which only 6 i.e., 10.9% of people had an excellent knowledge of the disease. The points acquired ranged from 8–22 i.e., 4 to 11 questions, more than half of the participants (60%, 33) believe there is a cure for thalassemia and almost 44% (24) participants believe screening of thalassemia can be done only by blood tests. This work focuses on the scarcity of information and degree of misconception about thalassemia. It calls for an urgent, routine need of thalassemia awareness program in the population.