Author(s):
Sunita Chaware, Prashant Chaware
Email(s):
prashantnchaware@gmail.com , chawaresunita@gmail.com
DOI:
10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00040 
Address:
Sunita Chaware1, Prashant Chaware2
1Associate Professor, SAGE College of Nursing, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
2Professor, Anatomy Department, AIIMS, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
*Corresponding Author
Published In:
Volume - 14,
Issue - 3,
Year - 2026
ABSTRACT:
Background: Thalassemia is a common inherited hemoglobin disorder and a major public health concern in India. Children with thalassemia major require lifelong blood transfusions, iron chelation therapy, and continuous monitoring, which places a significant caregiving burden on families. Nurses and other healthcare professionals play a central role in educating caregivers, supporting treatment adherence, and promoting preventive strategies such as carrier screening and prenatal diagnosis. However, inadequate caregiver knowledge remains a critical challenge in effective disease management and prevention. Aim: To assess the knowledge regarding thalassemia and its management among caregivers of thalassemic children. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of knowledge regarding thalassemia and its management among caregivers of children with thalassemia using standard questionnaire. 2. To determine the association between caregiver knowledge and selected socio-demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 caregivers of children diagnosed with thalassemia attending the pediatric outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. Data were collected using a validated structured interview schedule comprising socio-demographic variables and 30 multiple-choice questions related to thalassemia, its treatment, complications, and preventive measures. Knowledge scores were categorized as poor (0–10), average (11–20), and above-average/adequate (21–30). Data were analyzed using OpenEpi software, and associations were tested using the chi-square test, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The findings revealed that 65% of caregivers had average knowledge, 25% had poor knowledge, and only 10% demonstrated above-average or adequate knowledge regarding thalassemia and its management. The mean knowledge score was 14, indicating moderate awareness with substantial informational gaps. Caregiver knowledge showed a statistically significant association with relationship to the child, educational status, occupation, family history of thalassemia, and history of consanguineous marriage (p < 0.05). Parents, caregivers with higher educational attainment, government-sector employees, and those with a family history of thalassemia exhibited significantly better knowledge. Print media was the most commonly reported source of information. Conclusion: The study highlights inadequate caregiver knowledge regarding thalassemia and its management despite ongoing interaction with healthcare services. From a nursing and public health perspective, these findings emphasize the need for structured caregiver education, nurse-led counseling, and community-based awareness programs focusing on disease management and prevention. Integrating targeted health education into routine nursing care and strengthening preventive strategies can enhance caregiver competence, improve treatment adherence, and contribute to reducing the long-term burden of thalassemia in resource-limited settings.
Cite this article:
Sunita Chaware, Prashant Chaware. Assessment of Knowledge regarding Thalassemia and its Management among Caregivers in a Tertiary Care Setting in Central India. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(3):199-3. doi: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00040
Cite(Electronic):
Sunita Chaware, Prashant Chaware. Assessment of Knowledge regarding Thalassemia and its Management among Caregivers in a Tertiary Care Setting in Central India. International Journal of Nursing Education and Research. 2026;14(3):199-3. doi: 10.52711/2454-2660.2026.00040 Available on: https://ijneronline.com/AbstractView.aspx?PID=2026-14-3-5
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