Factors Related to Thalassemia Screening Awareness in Adolescents from Families with Thallasemia
Abstract
Background: Thalassemia is a hereditary blood disorder with a high prevalence in Indonesia, especially in areas with a history of consanguineous marriages and high carrier rates. Screening awareness in adolescents plays an important role in preventing the birth of children with thalassemia major.
Objective: To analyze factors related to thalassemia screening awareness in adolescents from families with thalassemia.
Methods: This quantitative analytical study used a cross-sectional design. The sample was adolescents aged 15–24 years who had family members with thalassemia (n = 120). The instruments included questionnaires on characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, family support, and access to information. Analysis used chi-square and logistic regression.
Results: Factors significantly related to thalassemia screening awareness were knowledge level (p<0.001), attitude towards screening (p=0.002), family support (p=0.001), experience caring for thalassemia family members (p=0.03), and access to health information (p=0.004). The most dominant factor was family support (OR=3.9).
Conclusion: Thalassemia screening awareness in adolescents is influenced by various personal, social, and environmental factors. Intensive family-based education and adolescent health services are needed to increase awareness of early thalassemia screening.
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