The Baseline Survey Of Thalassemia Epidemiological And Intervention Status For Guangdong Province

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution ofthalassaemia and understand the current situation and impact factor in intervention services ofthalassaemia in Guangdong Province. In addition, we analyzed the main problem of theintervention services of thalassaemia. Therefore, this can provide the basis for policy formulationand implementation of interventions of thalassaemia in Guangdong Province.Methods Cluster random sampling methods was used in investigational regions whichwere included local health bureau, health care organizations, doctors and nurses, married couplesand family affected by thalassaemia. In addition, collected blood samples were analyzed in bloodroutine examination and hemoglobin electrophoresis. Furthermore, we investigated theprevalence of thalassaemia and expenditure of medical resources and provided medical servicesin different regions of Guangdong Province. We also figured out the knowledge aboutthalassaemia and conditions of medical services from the participants. All collected data wereestablished with the Epidata and done by descriptive analysis using the SAS8.0.Results (1) The prevalence of thalassemia: The maternal’s α thalassemia and β thalassemiascreening positive rates were32.77%and4.44%, Husband’s α thalassemia and β thalassemiapositive rates were9.64%and3.89%, newborns’ α thalassemia and β thalassemia positive rateswere5.94%and2.77%. Various regions of the thalassemia screening positive rate is different.Zhuhai, Meizhou and Yangjiang’s thalassemia positive rate were higher.(2) Investment inprevention and control of resources on thalassemia:Free of premarital pregnancy test servicescounties accounted for10.53%and14.04%. Primary health care institutions in the variouscounties autonomy thalassemia screening and diagnostic units are less than11%. Theestablishment of a regional maternal and child health information platform or system areaaccounted for55.17%.(3) Intervention services in thalassemia:Health care organizations to carryout genetic counseling and health education accounted for40.38%and84.00%. Countyhemoglobin electrophoresis and fetal ultrasound testing carried out rates were33.06%and59.38%. Correctly suspected thalassemia patients do genetic testing suggested fewer doctors,medical units at all levels are less than50%. Carry the thalassemia knowledge traininginstitutions accounted for53.13%. The knowledge training health care workers receive relevantthalassemia accounted for27.40%. Medical staff to participate in of thalassemia socialorganizations accounted for3.57%. Be able to use the area of maternal and child informationplatform or system unit accounted for56.25%. Awareness of health care workers to blood,hemoglobin electrophoresis, genetic testing and screening and diagnosis method were51.93%, 44.86%and38.22%. Couples of reproductive age to go to the hospital, received thalassemiascreening test is recommended for men and women surveyed accounted for54.10%and58.84%.(4) Demand for services on thalassemia: Consider themselves poor in knowledge andthalassemia intervention service skills there shortage of health care workers accounted for74.27%. Feel the need to carry out a wide range of thalassemia intervention related knowledgeand skills training of health care workers accounted for98.28%. Couples of reproductive agethalassemia prevention knowledge awareness. That can prevent poor birth accounted for58.80%; considered necessary thalassemia screening pregnant women accounted for82.66%.Inconvenient health services currently provided maternal accounting for11.07%. Currentlyavailable health education to meet the needs of couples of reproductive age accounted for25.94%. The Medicare form of thalassemia family members at their own expense and ruralcooperative medical-based, Fully responsible for the poor to the costs incurred familiesaccounted for only6.35%, Children with thalassemia accounted for45%due to economicreasons and not hospitalized.Conclusion (1) Mediterranean anemia in Guangdong has a wide distribution,gene-carrying rate and severe prevent-and-control situation.(2) The human resources, medicalresources and preferential policies are far from enough. Meanwhile, the regional distribution isnot balanced.(3) The local medical and health institutions pay little attention to thalassemiaprevent-and-control situation, and screening area is small as well.(4) The medical personnelhave only a bit of training and their related knowledge reserve is insufficient, thus they can notintervene enough the clients.(5) Couples at child-bearing age have little knowledge ofthalassemia while require too much of service, especially in the aspects of free premaritalcheck-up, thalassemia screening. Thalassemia families also need such aids and services.