Assessing knowledge on thalassemia for prevention and management practices among the tribal population of Sitteri Panchayat, Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India

Introduction: Thalassemia, characterized by abnormal hemoglobin production, poses a significant public health challenge, particularly prevalent in tribal populations in Sitteri due to consanguineous marriages. Despite its prevalence, there is a notable lack of awareness, leading to misconceptions and barriers to prevention and management. Objectives: To assess the knowledge and perceived barriers concerning thalassemia among 369 participants in Sitteri, Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: Data were collected using a structured knowledge assessment schedule, analyzing demographic factors’ association with thalassemia knowledge scores. This study is a cross-sectional study design and sample size estimation was found to be 369 by formula 4pq/d2. The respondents were in the age group 18 to 49 years and they are from the Tribal community. Basic frequency and percentage were incorporated for the demographic profile of the respondents and logistic regression was performed. Results: Only 15% of the respondents have knowledge about Thalassemia and it is shown in the results that higher knowledge scores among older participants (AOR = 12.043, P < 0.001, 95% CI 3.189–45.472) and females (AOR = 2.916, P < 0.001, 95% CI 1.079–7.879), while higher educational and socioeconomic statuses correlated with lower scores, suggesting disparities in awareness across demographics. Conclusion: Targeted educational interventions, particularly for younger age groups, are essential for enhancing thalassemia awareness. Efforts should prioritize community education programs to raise awareness about thalassemia and its preventive measures, including genetic counseling and prenatal screening. Misconceptions persist, emphasizing the need for targeted educational campaigns. Addressing barriers, such as limited healthcare access and complex screening processes, is vital for effective thalassemia management in Sitteri and similar communities. This study provides valuable insights for designing interventions to enhance thalassemia awareness and reduce its burden in high-risk populations.