The Nurse’s Role in Providing Knowledge of Thalassemia Screening for Pregnant Women

Abstract

Beta Thalassemia is a genetic disorder inherited from a person’s parents which is violently to mildly severe, for the fetus when inherited from a carrier. The objective of this article is to provide pregnant women with knowledge of Thalassemia screening through complete blood tests since parents may be at risk with possible effects to their babies. . Possible effects to the fetus vary. Couples who are both Beta Thalassemia carriers can pass the disease to their babies causing a violently severe condition. The second and third level couples are at risk of being Beta Thalassemia or E- Hemoglobin carriers and can transmit the disease to their babies with the possibility of one in four or two in four rates from a a reduced Beta Thalassemia/E-Hemoglobin inheritance. These genetic disorders are inherited to their descents cyclically.

The reason for providing knowledge of Beta Thalassemia screening to couples at risk with pregnant women is to initiate an awareness of the disease and right decision-making. Therefore, relevant content should be comprehensive and concise. Additionally, apart from making use of advanced information technologies, it is necessary that self-efficacy with four main features of Bandura’s behavior change theory (Bandura 1997) should be introduced. Since pregnant women generally have a strong sense of personal efficacy and believe in their capabilities, this approach commonly leads to correct practices.