Lack of knowledge of thalassemia among non-medical university students in Saudi Arabia
A cross-sectional study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 22080898 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Noara Alhusseini (0000-0003-4976-4194, Alfaisal University, corresponding author), Peter M B Cahusac (Alfaisal University), Yara O Alsouss (Alfaisal University), Sabri Kemahli (Alfaisal University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 14 |
| Pages | 1722773-1722773 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-04 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Frontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565 |
| Publisher | Frontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1722773 |
| PMID | 41859270 |
| OpenAlex | W7133549605 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 12 |
Background: Thalassemia is a prevalent hereditary hematological condition in Saudi Arabia, with carrier frequencies between 1.8 and 3.2%. Despite the implementation of the national premarital screening program in 2004, public awareness continues to be minimal. University students, anticipated to exhibit elevated health literacy, may still lack adequate knowledge. Methods: A cross-sectional study employed an online questionnaire distributed to undergraduate and graduate students from non-medical colleges at Alfaisal University. A17-item online survey assessed knowledge of thalassemia. The authors classified the knowledge scores into four ordinal categories and used ordinal regression to examine their associations with demographic factors. Results: < 0.01), with non-Saudi students demonstrating greater awareness. No associations were found with age, gender, or marital status. Conclusion: The results indicate an essential gap in thalassemia awareness, especially among educated young individuals. This gap and comprehensive community-based educational initiatives should be targeted at the middle and high school levels. Specific measures are essential to enhance national screening and preventive strategies. These findings highlight the urgent need for national educational initiatives to complement premarital screening, targeting younger populations before reproductive age
Computer-assisted web interviewing · Ethnic group · Marital status · Nationality · Ordinal regression · Post graduate · Public health · Thalassemia · Health Literacy and Information Accessibility · Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders · Iron Metabolism and Disorders
| Highly cited | No |
|---|