Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Thalassemia Screening Awareness: A Study on Teenagers From Extended Families Affected by Thalassemia

Abstract

Currently, there is no cure for Thalassemia; however, preventing marriages between carriers can help reduce the birth of children with thalassemia major. Early screening for Thalassemia is essential for this preventive measure. This study employs a quantitative analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample comprises 120 teenagers from Tegal City, Central Java, selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected via a questionnaire assessing knowledge and attitudes towards thalassemia screening and analyzed using univariate and bivariate methods with SPSS software. The results show that 52.7% of participants demonstrated exemplary knowledge about thalassemia, while the majority (80.5%) displayed a positive attitude toward thalassemia screening. Furthermore, 86.4% of respondents expressed their intention to check their carrier status though 58.3% preferred to delay the screening until just before marriage. The study concludes that there is a critical need to enhance awareness about the importance of early thalassemia screening. This can be achieved through targeted education and strategic interventions, aiming to promote early screening and ultimately prevent the birth of children with thalassemia major.