A Comparative Study On Perceptions And Practices Among Parents Of Thalassemic Children Attending Two Different Institutions

• Main Authors: Bandyopadhyay Bhaswati, Nandi Saswati, Mitra Kaninika, Mandal Pankaj Kumar, Mukhopadhyay Sujishnu, Biswas Akhil Bandhu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2003-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Community Medicine
• Online Access: http://www.ijcm.org.in/article.asp?issn=0970-0218;year=2003;volume=28;issue=3;spage=128;epage=132;aulast=Bandyopadhyay;type=0

Research questions: Is there any difference in the level of perceptions and practices among parents of thalassemic children attending govt. and non-govt. institutions? Objectives: (1) To assess the financial burden imposed by thalassemic patients on their families. (2) To compare the level of awareness among the parents of thalassemic children regarding causation of the disease. (3) To compare the measures adopted by these parents to prevent birth of an affected child in future. (4) To compare the requirement and procurement practices of blood by these parents for their affected children. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Pediatric ward of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH), Kolkata and the Thalassemia Society of India (TSI), Kolkata. Participants: All accompanying parents of thalassemia children admitted in the pediatric ward of RGKMCH and of those attending TSI during the study period. Statistical analysis: Chi square test, t test. Results: Compared to the thalassemic children attending govt. hospital, those attending the NGO were of higher age group, were under treatment for longer duration and required blood transfusions more frequently; most of their parents were literate (96% mothers attending TSI Vs. 47.1% mothers attending RGKMCH), more aware about the hereditary nature of the disease (90% Vs. 64.5%), donated blood more frequently (76% Vs. 50%), spent more for their children (2/3rd Vs. 1/5th) and underwent screening tests for carrier state detection in more numbers (78.6% Vs. 45.7%). Adoption of birth control measures by the parents in both the groups, however, showed no significant difference.