Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Young Paediatricians About Chelation Therapyin Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Major Children

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitude, and practice of young paediatricians about chelation therapy in transfusiondependent thalassemia major children.

Study Design: KAP survey

Place and Duration of Study: Six different hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad Pakistan, from Jul 2019 to Jan 2020.

Methodology: We study enrolled a sample of 98 doctors. The study included all residents (R1, R2, R3, and R4) and senior registrars of the six hospitals, while those on leave for any reason like maternity or others were excluded. A pre-validated questionnaire was used to collect the data.

Results: Out of 98, maximum residents were of third-year (R3) 27(27.6%), followed by the second-year resident (R2) and senior registrar (SR) 19(19.4%). About 52(53.1%) residents reported that they did not have any thalassemia centre in their facility,with a maximum from Rawalpindi 65(66.3%). The study revealed that 61.2% study population had fair knowledge and attitude towards chelation therapy, while 22(22.4%) had poor and 16(16.3%) had satisfactory scores. The study revealed varied practices except for combination therapy, where 82.7% preferred it. The study showed a significant association between different categories of knowledge and attitude with professional levels, (p-value = 0.014).

Conclusion: The majority had a fair knowledge and attitude towards chelation therapy, while the practice varies mostly,except for the maximum preferred combination therapy for chelation. The study further concluded that with an increase in professional experience, knowledge, attitude and practice improved towards better treatment.