Unveiling New Horizons: Empowering Caregivers of β-Thalassemia Warriors: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Thalassemia is a chronic genetic disorder requiring meticulous home management, including regular blood transfusions and iron chelation therapy. This study aimed to assess the knowledge of caregivers regarding home care management for children with β-thalassemia and to develop an educational pamphlet to improve caregiver understanding. Conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Bangalore, the cross-sectional study involved 88 caregivers of children with β-thalassemia major. Using a structured questionnaire, the paper evaluated caregiver knowledge and its correlation with demographic factors. The analysis revealed that caregiver education significantly influenced their knowledge of β-thalassemia management, with no significant correlations found with other variables such as age, gender, occupation, income, or family history of thalassemia. Based on the findings, an informational pamphlet was developed to address gaps in knowledge concerning diet management, iron chelation, infection prevention, and overall health promotion. This pamphlet is anticipated to enhance caregiver education and improve the quality of home care for children with β-thalassemia.