I.

Student Information:
Student Name:

Email Address: Student ID:

II. Research Information:

Raising awareness of thalassemia among Zayed University students

III. Abstract (Maximum 300 words):

Thalassemia is One of the most common inheritable conditions worldwide, with at least 60 000
oppressively affected individualities born every year. Thalassemia is a genetic disorder in blood, occurs
due to abnormal formation or absent of globin peptide chains of hemoglobin. The thalassemias can be
classified as alpha or beta thalassemias. Beta thalassemia may present as silent carriers with normal
hematological parameters, while beta thalassemia carriers have hypochromic microcytic anemia,
associated with a high HbA2.Thalassemia Diagnosis is made by a blood test and DNA(genetic) tests.
Symptoms of thalassemia also important to detect prognosis of thalassemia disease. The mainstay of
treatment of Thalassemia is blood transfusion combined with iron chelation therapy. Therefore, this
research project aims to determine the perception of thalassemia among students at Zayed University.
Project objective was to determine and analyze students' perceptions of the topic thalassemia, also used
data collection methods to obtain the correct sources of information like books and other sources like
National Library of Medicine and lancet. In addition, a survey was conducted among Zayed University
students to determine their perception of thalassemia. The survey used seven different questions
targeting 30 students. The students have good knowledge of thalassemia this detected by the survey
results.By the end of the study, the expectations are that students at Zayed University know more about
thalassemia diagnosis and awareness about thalassemia correct treatment and prevention methods.

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IV. Literature Review:

Thalassemia is one of the maximum not unusual place inheritable situations

worldwide, with at the least 60 000 oppressively affected individualities born each
time. Prof James & George, (2011)in their paper titled, individualities forming from
tropical and tropical areas are maximum at threat. illnesses of hemoglobin
conflation( thalassemia) and structure( e.g. sickle cell anima) had been the various
first molecular situations to be linked, nonetheless, remedy of thalassemia
continues to be in large part depending on probative care with blood transfusion
and iron chelation. Since 1978, scientists and clinicians on this uniqueness have met
frequently in an transnational hassle to ameliorate the operation of thalassemia,
with the cease of including the expression of harmless fetal genes to ameliorate the
insufficiency in grownup β- globin conflation.

According to a study conducted by Hay, Weatherall,( 2017).During parturition, the

kid with thalassemia main seems to be healthy. This is due to the fact there's a
ascendance of fetal hemoglobin( Hb F) in the course of gravidity.Which lacks any
beta chains. Anemia begins off evolved to seem a many months after birth, as the
kid switches over from gamma to beta globulin. The Childs increase retards and
regularly has issues( because of terrible oxygen absorbance with inside the frame
with substantial anemia), occurrences of fever to which the intense sickliness
inclines the small elevation, gradual bowel movement, and different intestinal issues
However, it`ll If undressed. Beget the blowup of organs just like the spleen, liver,
and heart, and bones to return back susceptible and brittle.There are primary
varieties of thalassemia are alpha and beta.

According to a study conducted by Musallam, Khaled M( 2013),In alpha thalassemia,

the hemoglobin does now no longer produce sufficient alpha protein.To make
alpha-globin protein chains we want 4 genes, on every chromosome 16. We get
from every parent. If one or extra of those genes is missing, alpha thalassemia will
end result.

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According to a study conducted by Angastiniotis and Lobitz,(2019).In humans with
beta thalassemia, low ranges of hemoglobin result in a loss of oxygen in lots of
elements of the frame. Affected people even have a scarcity of pink blood cells
(anemia), which could reason light pores and skin, weak spot, fatigue, and extra
severe complications.

People with beta thalassemia are at an expanded threat of growing unusual blood
clots.Beta thalassemia is assessed into kinds relying at the severity of signs and
symptoms: thalassemia main (also referred to as Cooley's anemia) and thalassemia
intermedia.

Aggarwal R (2014),in their paper titled primary signs and symptoms of Thalassemia
include:Slow increase, Shortness of breath, Bone deformities, Frequent
inflammations, Flatulence, General weak spot or tiredness, Pale, yellowish pores and
skin and darkening urine.

According to a study conducted by Peters M,Heijboer H, Smiers F( 2012)

The prognosis is made via way of means of a blood take a look at. The blood pattern
is analyses to look what form of hemoglobin is present with inside the blood.

In a few cases, greater assessments consisting of DNA(genetic) assessments are had

to diagnose the precise form of thalassemia. It might also additionally assist to check
different own circle of relatives contributors in which possible.Thalassemia trait can
be suspected from the outcomes of an everyday blood take.

According to a study conducted by Rachmeitewitz EA, Giardina PJ( 2011).The

mainstay of treatment of Thalassemia is blood transfusion combined with iron
chelation therapy. Also Chelation therapy . The management of severe forms of ß
Thalassemia entails regular blood transfusion with chelation therapy to prevent the
effects of iron accumulation. Haemopoitic stem cell transplantation is the
conventional curative option for Thalassemia patients.

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V. Project Objectives:

1- To find out the students' awareness of thalassemia.

2- To assess the health culture of students.

3- To increase knowledge awareness about thalassemia, correct treatment and prevention

methods.

4- To provide health knowledge among people.

5- To support research and studies on thalassemia to facilitate access to it.

VI. Experimental Procedures:

1- Collect the data from (the books, websites)

The trusted books and websites have been used to collect data.

In order to obtain the correct sources of information, reliable medical books and approved scientific
articles were collected, in addition to published studies on thalassemia, which were well studied.

Some secondary sources were obtained from sites that provide strong and reliable information, such as the
National Library of Medicine and lancet .

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 2- Using survey, questioner (students)

The research used a survey to obtain information from the students regarding thalassemia awareness

The 30 participants were informed about the purpose of the study and asked for their consent before the
survey. The survey is an important data collection method, which helps a researcher gauge individuals'
perceptions and experiences. The research used a Seven different questions.

The questions asked were related to thalassemia and intended to test students views and knowledge on
thalassemia. The following are the sets of questions, which were used in the survey

1- Do you think thalassemia could be transmitted through blood transfusion from a person with
thalassemia?

2- Anemia is a common symptom of Thalassemia (low hemoglobin)?

3- Thalassemia can be identified by blood test?

4- Do you agree or disagree that thalassemia carriers and patients should be prevented from marrying each
other?

5- Do you agree that thalassemia screening should be compulsory for the individual?

6- Thalassemia is transmitted by:

From parents to offspring _ Contacts _ blood transfusion.

7- Thalassemia may be treated by:

Do not worry; it is easily curable _ Surgery _ Medicines.

3- One example video interview (with students)

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4- Gather the data in one XL sheet

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VII. Hypotheses to be tested:

I am expecting that Zayed University students have high level of health culture.

I am expecting that Zayed University students have a positive perception of thalassemia awareness.

I am expecting that Zayed University students have good knowledge about thalassemia.

VIII. Location of Experimental Work:

In general, Zayed university campus Anu Dhabi.

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IX. Availability of Equipment:

In my research, I have used a number of resources that will be required to complete

the study and they are technical resources. For example, to create survey questions,

computers and the Internet were used. Also, to access the secondary information

related to the sciences needed for the research subject, the Scientific Network was

used for that. To record the video interview a camera, microphone and ZOOM

software will be necessary.

X. Expected Impact of this Work:

I am expecting details statistic about the students' perceptions of thalassemia.

I am expect the students at Zayed university to have a change of attitude towards the practice of self-

Examination to prevent thalassemia.

I am expect the students to know more about thalassemia, the factors contributing to it, and the treatment
options.

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XI. Time Schedule for the Project Tasks:

week 1 week 2
Task
Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4

1 Collect the data from (the books,


websites)

Using survey, questioner (students)

2
 

One example video interview (with

3
students)


Gather the data in one XL sheet

4

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FOS/ES/F2

XII. List of References Used in the Proposal:

1- HAY, D. and WEATHERALL, D.J., 2017. Thalassaemias. eLS, 1-6.

2- Musallam, Khaled M ; Rivella, Stefano ; Vichinsky, Elliott ; Rachmilewitz, Eliezer A Italy:

Ferrata Storti Foundation Haematologica (Roma), 2013, Vol.98 (6), p.833-844.

3-Angastiniotis, M., & Lobitz, S. (2019). Thalassemias: an overview. International Journal

of Neonatal Screening, 5(16).

3- Aggarwal R., et al. “Thalassemia: an overview”. Journal of the Scientific Society 41.1
(2014).

4- Peters M,Heijboer H, Smiers F, et al;Diagnosis and management of thalassemia. BMJ.

2012 Jan 25;344:e228. Doi:10.1136/bmj.e228.

5- Rachmeitewitz EA, Giardina PJ. How I treat thalassemia. Blood 2011 Sep
29;118(13):3479-3488.

6- Douglas R Higgs et al. Lancet. 2012.

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