title: A model of genetic guidance for hemoglobinopathy patients and laboratory diagnosis of family members as educational and preventive measures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The high frequency of hemoglobinopathies in Brazil constitutes a public health problem and thus educational and preventive measures are necessary to reduce the incidence. Genetic guidance, a modality of genetic counseling, and family screening are measures that can assist in reproductive decisions and mitigate clinical, psychological and social problems of families with these disorders.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of educational and preventive measures for hemoglobinopathies using genetic guidance and laboratory screening of families.
  
  
  METHODS
  The diagnoses of patients with hemoglobinopathies were confirmed and then the level of knowledge about their disease was evaluated and genetic guidance was provided. Three months later, the level of assimilated information of these patients was evaluated. In addition, laboratory diagnosis of family members was carried out.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Diagnosis of sickle cell anemia was confirmed for most patients. Moreover, the majority of the patients who had a low level of knowledge before genetic guidance (68.8%) demonstrated a higher level of assimilated information after the process (81.8%). Almost 70% of the family members had hemoglobin changes and some had hemoglobinopathies(2.6%). They were duly informed about the results of the examinations, which made it possible to investigate further.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Genetic guidance and family screening were effective preventive and educational measures that improved the quality of life of patients, preventing complications and sequels and allowed the referral of those who may transmit altered genes for clinical diagnosis and to genetic counseling services.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Federal de Goiás - UFG, Goiania, GO, Brazil.
authors.forename: Tatiana Dela-Sávia
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Adriana Sousa
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Freire
authors.forename: Elisângela de Paula
authors.initials: Ede P
authors.lastname: Silveira-Lacerda
authors.forename: Marco Túlio Antônio
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: García-Zapata
keywords: Genetic counseling; Hemoglobinopathies/diagnosis; Primary prevention; Quality of life