Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Although prevention the birth of children with β‑thalassemia major (β‑TM) is an
important health issue, it is rarely explored. With this background, the study was designed to find
family planning practices and related factors of couples with children affected by β‑TM.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross‑sectional, observational study, conducted among
324 parents with children affected by β‑TM attending a tertiary care health facility in Eastern India.
Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariable logistic regression using SPSS.
RESULTS: Of 324 parents, 89.5% were sexually active, 44.8% of which were currently using
family planning method to prevent the birth of another child with the oral contraceptive pill most
preferred (46.9%) followed by tubectomy (33.9%). Those who were sexually active, but not desirous of
a child were 223, of which 41.7% had the unmet need for family planning with religious belief (41.9%)
being the most predominant reason followed by unaware of methods (26.9%). In multivariable
analysis, religion, caste, per capita monthly income, mothers’ education level, and working status
were significant predictors of unmet need for family planning adjusted with others.
CONCLUSIONS: Burden of unmet need for family planning among the study population was
alarmingly high. Parents of the thalassemic children should be counseled in easily comprehensible
local language to increase the rate of contraception among them.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Thalassemia is an inherited blood disorder which is one of the common genetic
disorders among children that is increasing worldwide.
AIM AND OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify clustering patterns among thalassemia‑affected
families based on their well‑being, transfusion interval, and risk factors using two‑step cluster
analysis (TCA).
METHODS: The study design is a descriptive, analytical cross‑sectional study. The study sample
consisted of 125 thalassemia children along with either one of the parents who referred to a
thalassemia treatment center of a pediatric hospital in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. The parents and
children were evaluated using the Ryff Psychological Well‑being Scale and Kidscreen Questionnaire
respectively. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 software.
RESULTS: Out of 125 parents, 86 were father (68.8%) and 39 were mother (31.2%). The mean
age of parents was 38 years. Similarly, out of 125 thalassemia‑affected children, the mean age of
children was 13 years. Six clusters were deducted from the TCA. Parents’ well‑being variable does
not have discriminating power to form cluster division. Three cluster formations were meaningful.
CONCLUSION: TCA, in this study, helps in finding the clusters of families with thalassemia‑affected
children associated with poor well‑being and familial risks, which require attention for medical
counseling.

Abstract Introduction: Major thalassemia is a hereditary, chronic blood disease caused by the synthesis
deficiency of one or more polypeptide chains of globin during childhood. This leads to the rise of
blood pressure and family tensions. Therefore, the coping strategies of the family could seriously
affect and facilitate the thalassemic child’s healthy growth. The present research sought to investigate
the mental health and coping strategies of families with major thalassemic children in Bandar Abbas
in 2013. Materials and Methods: This study is of a descriptive‑analytical and cross‑sectional
type. Research population consisted of 140 parents of major thalassemic children who visited
Shahid Mohammadi Hospital of Bandar Abbas. The instruments used were the 12‑item General
Health Questionnaire of Goldberg and Williams along with the coping strategies questionnaire.
Nonprobabilistic, convenient sampling method was used. To analyze the data, Spearman’s
correlation coefficient, Chi‑square and descriptive statistical tests were used. The significance
level was set at P < 0.05. Results: Data analysis showed that parents’ mental health (32 ± 4.25)
along with their coping strategy scores (45 ± 7.50) was about the average. The most prevalent
coping strategies among the parents were represented as: “I trust in God in order to get my problems
solved” (87%), “to get mentally and spiritually relieved, I would visit mosques and holy shrines” (53%),
and “to overcome problems, I make harder attempts” (50.7%). A significant correlation was found
between the parents’ coping strategies and general health (P < 0.001). A significant correlation
was also observed between mother’s educational level (P = 0.044), age (P = 0.022) and general
health. Discussion and Conclusion: According to the results of this research, it is categorical for
the ministry of health and medical education and those in charge to pay special and adequate
attention to the social, spiritual, and mental health of these children and their families.