Thalassemia in the outpatient department of the Yangon Children's Hospital in Myanmar: knowledge, attitudes and practice in relation to thalassemia.

A maternal knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) study concerning the nature and prevention of thalassemia was carried out at the Yangon Children's Hospital in Myanmar. The KAP information was collected using a pretested schedule. Only 18 to 28% of the mothers knew at least one of the statements: thalassemia is a genetic disorder; both parents of thalassemic children carry abnormal genes; there is a 25% chance of recurrence in each subsequent pregnancy. Eighty-two per cent of the respondents decided not to have a further pregnancy for fear of recurrence and of these 62% were currently practising contraception. Oral contraception was the most commonly used method (56%). The median scores as well as the percent responses in favor of the three attitude scales relating to limiting thalassemic children, prenatal diagnosis and termination of pregnancy were high. Although there is a need to increase the community awareness of thalassemia in Myanmar, there is a possibility that prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy termination will be accepted for the prevention of thalassemia.