Background and objective: Thalassaemia is a heredity blood diseases characterised by
decreased synthesis of one of the two types of polypeptide chains (β or α) which form the
normal adult human hemoglobin molecule (HbA, α2‚β2), resulting in decreased filling of the
red cells with haemoglobin, and cause anaemia. The study aimed to improve mothers’
knowledge and practices of Thalassaemic children who are using Desferal therapy.
Methods: A quasi-experimental study was carried out at Hawler Thalassemia Center in
Erbil City from the 1
st of March to the end of May 2010. One hundred mothers were selected
and divided into two groups, 50 mothers exposed to the educational programme
(study group) and a second group of (50) mothers were served as control. Pre and post
test of subject of interest were done during the two occasions.
Results: The results revealed that mothers’ knowledge and practices in the study group
were improved. There is no significant association between mothers’ knowledge and practices
with socio-demographic characteristics at pre-test which became significant at
post-test .
Conclusion: Yet, most of the mothers in the study group have gained benefit from implementation
of this educational programme.
Keywords: Thalassaemia, Mothers’ knowledge and practices, Desferal Therapy.