Prevalence of Thalassemia Trait, Iron Deficiency Anemia and Level of Thalassemia Awareness Among Secondary School Students in Jenin District

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Type: 
Thesis
Year: 
2003
Students: 
Ibraheem M. Khrewish
Abstract: 
Thalassemia is a common and important genetic blood disorder in Palestine. Relatively large numbers of population have thalassemia trait. Previous studies have shown that Jenin area has the highest frequency of thalassemics [Al -Yonus study -1996]. In this study we targeted the secondary school students in Jenin District. About five hundred students (231 males and 269 females) were surveyed in their classes between September 2001 and February 2002. The study sample was selected randomly from five areas of Jenin District (east, west, north, south and middle). All participants filled out a questionnaire, then blood samples were collected. All blood samples were tested for CBC and only selected samples (MCV < 80 femtoliter) were tested for Hemoglobin electrophoreses and Serum iron. The main results of this study survey are the following: 1. About 1.6 % of secondary school students in Jenin District suffer from thalassemia trait.62.5 % were males and 37.5 % were females. 2. There are some variations in this percentage according to the area of the study. It was found to be 5.3 % in the east area, 0.4 % in the city, 1.3 % in the south area, 1.7 % in the west area, and 0 % in the north area of study. 3. This study survey also showed that approximately 5 % of secondary school students in Jenin District suffer from iron deficiency anemia.16 % of those students were males and 84 % were females. 4. There were some variations in this percentage according to the area of study, as follows: In the city 7.1%, the east area 3.2 %, in the south area 2.5 %, In the west area 3.4 % and in the north area of the study it was 0%. 5. The study survey points out that age, sex, type of diet, and economic status might affect or lead to iron deficiency anemia among secondary school students in Jenin District. 6. Also the survey showed that there was a poor level of knowledge about thalassemia among secondary school students in Jenin District. 7. The main factors that affect the level of the student’s awareness about thalassemia in the survey were: The level of education of their mothers, sex, class level, and the branch of study. 8. In this study survey the most effective equation used in thalassemia screening was: (MCV: RBC ratios less than 13 correspond to patients with thalassemia trait). This equation identified all the cases and didn’t dismiss any case. In conclusion we recommended increasing the level of interference and education for students about thalassemia and ironing deficiency anemia.