The Knowledge about Thalassemia among Medical Students and General Practitioners in Bandung and the Prevalence of β-Thalassemia Carrier

  • Edhyana Sahiratmadja Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
  • Michelle Angelica Wijaya Study Center of Clinical Genetic, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
  • Anggraini Widjajakusuma Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
  • Ani Melani Maskoen Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
  • Julius Broto Dewantoro Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
  • Ramdan Panigoro Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung
Keywords: Minor Thallassemia, trait thalassemia, beta thalassemia

Abstract

Background: Thalassemia major ranks 5th among catastrophic diseases according to the National Health Insurance, BPJS. Health workers are expected to have good knowledge about thalassemia to raise public awareness for thalassemia carrier early detection. Aim: To explore the knowledge about thalassemia among medical students and general practitioners (GPs) in Bandung, and the prevalence of β-thalassemia carrier.
Methods: Analytic study was designed using questionnaire to compare knowledge. The prevalence of anemia due to iron deficiency or β-thalassemia carrier was described using Mentzer Index (MCV/RBC) and Shine&Lal index (MCV*MCV*MCH/100).
Results: The knowledge about thalassemia among medical students (n597) and GPs (n171) was moderate, however, there was a significant difference; GPs >30 years old had lower knowledge compared to students. Students attended blood examination had better knowledge (p 0.036). Type of anemia among students (7.9%) was different according to Mentzer index vs. Shine&Lal index; iron deficiciency anemia (5.3% % vs. 3.2%) dan β-thalassemia carrier (2.6% vs. 4.7%).
Conclusions: Knowledge of thalassemia among medical students and GPs need to be enhanced, since 6-10% of Indonesian population are thalassemia carriers. Further examination is needed to confirm thalassemia carriership.

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Published
2020-05-19
How to Cite
Sahiratmadja, E., Wijaya, M. A., Widjajakusuma, A., Maskoen, A. M., Dewantoro, J. B., & Panigoro, R. (2020). The Knowledge about Thalassemia among Medical Students and General Practitioners in Bandung and the Prevalence of β-Thalassemia Carrier. Journal Of The Indonesian Medical Association, 70(4), 48-58. https://doi.org/10.47830/jinma-vol.70.4-2020-232