Comparing Knowledge of Beta-Thalassemia in Samples of Italians, Italian-Americans, and Non-Italian-Americans

Authors:
Christina Armeli (1), Steven J. Robbins (2) and Deborah Eunpu (1)

Author Affiliations:
(1) Department of Genetic Counseling, Arcadia University, Glenside, Pennsylvania
(2) Department of Psychology, Arcadia University, 450 South Easton Road, Glenside, Pennsylvania

The purpose of this study, published in the October 2005 issue of the Journal of Genetic Counseling (Vol. 14, No. 5, pp. 365-376), was to determine the level of Beta-thalassemia awareness among Italians living on the eastern side of Sicily (Bronte, Catania, and Tortorici, Messina), Italian-Americans, and Americans of other ethnic backgrounds (Other-Americans).

Five hundred questionnaires were distributed, and 456 were ultimately returned and analyzed. Over 80% of the Italian respondents had heard of Beta-thalassemia compared to only 19% of the Italian-Americans. Beta-Thalassemia education programs in Italy appear to have dramatically increased awareness of the disorder.

Author contact:

Steven J. Robbins
E-mail: robbins@arcadia.edu

Abstract available online.

(C) Journal of Genetic Counseling.

Posted by: Tressie Dalaya

Message posted by: Trevor M. D'Souza