Abstract

Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Towards the Thalassemia Among Young Population in Ibbagamuwa Divisional Secretariat, Kurunegala; Sri Lanka

Background: Thalassemia is an inherited disease and it is encountered in every population in the world. The most common single-gene disorder in Sri Lanka is thalassemia. Most developing countries lack the necessary resources and expertise to provide thalassemia treatment, meanwhile, they cannot bear the cost of treatments, Sri Lanka being a resource-constrained country, prevention is the best option for thalassemia. Hence, enhancing knowledge, attitudes and, practices toward thalassemia is very essential. Objectives: The objective of the study is to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward thalassemia among the young population in Ibbagamuwa divisional secretariat, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Methods: This study is a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study and was conducted for 9 months from April to December 2021 using randomly selected participants from the young population in the Ibbagamuwa divisional secretariat, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka. Data collection was conducted through a self administered questionnaire and all statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS 25.0). Results: About 34.76% of the study population had adequate knowledge; 46% had an adequate level of positive attitude and 39% had an adequate level of good practice about thalassemia. Frequencies and percentages of correct responses given for knowledge, attitudes, and practices-based questions of thalassemia by different demographic categories of different age groups were also obtained. Conclusions: It was seen in our study that there is an inadequate level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward thalassemia among the young population in the Ibbagamuwa divisional secretariat, Kurunegala, Sri Lanka

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