Thalassemia Control by Awareness: A Study among the Educated Bengalee Populations of South 24 Parganas District, West Bengal, India

This study is an evaluation of KAP (knowledge, attitude and practice) among the educated Bengalee population of rural West Bengal, India. It reveals a positive perception of the people towards this disorder. Genetic counseling and participation in awareness programme is very poor among these respondents. There is considerable difference between two genders in terms of knowledge like- ‘about the child to whom blood is given frequently’ and ‘thalassemia is a blood related disorder’. More number of males agreed to live with a person suffering from thalassemia than their counterparts. Proper education and awareness programme with local community participation will be very effective as people witness the seriousness of this disease in their day to day life.