Global Journal of Health Science; Vol. 7, No. 5; 2015 ISSN 1916-9736 E-ISSN 1916-9744 Published by Canadian Center of Science and Education

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Carrier Thalassemia Marriage Volunteer in Prevention of Major Thalassemia Tahmineh Karimzaei1, Qolamreza Masoudi1, Mahnaz Shahrakipour1, Ali Navidiyan2, Abd Al-Qaffar Jamalzae1 & Ahmad Zoraqi Bamri3 1

Health promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran

2

Faculty of Zahedan University of Nursing & Midwifery, Zahedan, IR Iran

3

Iranshahr University of Medical Sciences, Iranshahr, Iran

Correspondence: Tahmineh Karimzaei, MA Student in the Field of Health Care, Health Promotion Research Center, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran. E-mail: [email protected] Received: December 9, 2014 doi:10.5539/gjhs.v7n5p364

Accepted: February 2, 2015

Online Published: June 10, 2015

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v7n5p364

Abstract Introduction: Thalassemia is the most common genetic disorder and rising in the world as a health problem. Due to the criticality of this disease, in our country thalassemia prevention programs are more importance. The aim of this study was investigation of knowledge, attitude and behavior of marrying partners who were thalassemia genetic carriers in prevention of the birth of the children with major thalassemia Methods: This study was a descriptive-analytic study. Data collection tool was a self-administered questionnaire that included 43 items. The content validity of questionnaire was investigated under the supervision of physicians, experts of health education and promotion. Its reliability was confirmed by Cronbach's Alpha test. The subjects in the study consisted of 100 marrying partners who were genetic carriers of thalassemia who referred to Premarital Counseling Center in Iranshahr City. Iranshahr is a a large city of Sistan and Balouchestan Province that located in southeast of Iran. The subjects were selected by convenience non-probability sampling method. Data analyzed using descriptive and analytic statistical tests in SPSS 16.00 and level of significance considered on α < 0.05. Findings: The average age of men and women that participated in this study was 21.92 and 24 years respectively. 88% of the partners had familial relationships. The educational level of most of the men (34%) was diploma and of women (44%) was pre-diploma. The research findings showed that 7% and 62% of the subjects had poor and mediocre levels of knowledge respectively. Also results showed that only 13% of them had a satisfactory behavior and educational status had a positive correlation with knowledge, behavior, perceived susceptibility and perceived severity (P