Reproductive health in individuals with homozygous beta-thalassemia: knowledge, attitudes, and behavior.
OBJECTIVE
To review the reproductive health knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of persons with homozygous beta-thalassemia.


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
Patients treated at a tertiary hospital and community-based healthy controls.


METHODS
One hundred and thirty persons, 16 years of age or older, who had homozygous beta-thalassemia and were attending hospital for regular blood transfusion, and 99 demographically matched persons without thalassemia. ASSESSMENT TOOL: Reproductive health questionnaire.


RESULTS
104 (80%) persons with homozygous beta-thalassemia completed the questionnaire and were compared with 99 controls. Persons with homozygous beta-thalassemia were as likely as healthy peers to be in a relationship, employed full-time, sexually active, and using contraception and to have had children. Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism was present in 55 (52.8%) patients, 46 (83.6%) of whom were compliant with hormone replacement therapy. Understanding of genetics and reproductive potential was suboptimal among persons with homozygous beta-thalassemia, and this group had a higher rate of unplanned pregnancy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that with optimal therapy, most young adults with homozygous beta-thalassemia can achieve reproductive, sexual, and social experiences similar to those of their healthy peers.
Psihogios
Vicki
V
Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre Clayton, Clayton, Australia.
Rodda
Christine
C
Reid
Elizabeth
E
Clark
Malcolm
M
Clarke
Caroline
C
Bowden
Donald
D
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia; D004522:Educational Status; D004651:Employment; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012016:Reference Values; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*