FACTORS RELATED TO THE BIRTH OF CHILDREN WITH THALASSEMIA MAJOR IN BABOL DURING 1997-2006

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The premarital screening of β-thalassemia was performed all over the county of Iran from 1997. Although this program can reduce the large number of children born with thalassemia, we are still witness to the birth of these children. The aim of this study was to survey the associated factors accompanied with the birth of children with thalassemia major in Babol, Iran during 1997-2006 in spite of this screening program.METHODS: This study was conducted on all parents of children with beta thalassemia major as case group and the carrier couples who had no child with thalassemia major as control group from 1997-2006. Data including age, sex, relations, insurance condition, screening condition, PND (prenatal diagnosis) condition, consultation and education about thalassemia were collected by a questionnaire and then analyzed.FINDINGS: Comparing two groups, the following results were obtained: being insured in control group was 5.6 (CI=2.3-13.8) times more than case group (p<0.001). Continuous care before pregnancy in control group was 95.8 times more than case group (OR=95.8, CI=18.5-496, p<0.001). Considering family relation there was not significant relationship between two groups. The trained couples in control group were 33 times more than case group (OR= 33, CI= 7-153, p<0.001). After bring all variables in logistic regression model, the most effect is related to the education about thalassemia, continuous cares and being insured, respectively (p