in Albania - Instituti i Shendetit Publik

ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENTthalassemia, a big public health problem in Vlora,AlbaniaVitori Hasani¹, Emirjona Kiçaj¹, Rudina Çerçizaj¹, Sonila Golemi²,Emiljana Coraj³, Dhurata Shena²¹Faculty of Public Health, University of Vlora, Vlora, Albania;²Regional Hospital of Vlora, Vlora, Albania;³Directorate of Public Health, Vlora, Albania.Aim: Thalassemia is a group of inherited diseases,which is characterized by a genetic defect ofhaemoglobin synthesis. The aim of this study wasto determine the number of patients withThalassemia receiving health care services in VloraRegional Hospital in order to define effectiveprevention programs for this disease with largeimpact.Methods: This was a descriptive study conductedin Vlora Hospital. The study population consistedof all patients with Thalassemia diagnosed andsuspected, presented in this hospital in the periodfrom 2010 to 2012. All data regarding sociodemographicprofile of individuals and the statusof Thalassemia were obtained from medical recordsof patients and registers of Vloras ThalassemiaCentre.Results: During the period 2010-2012, there were216 patients overall who were diagnosed withmajor Thalassemia in Vlora. Of these, 55.1%were females and 44.9% were males. About 45%of the patients resided in rural areas of Vlora and55% resided in the city of Vlora. About 56% ofthe patients were from 5 to 14 years of age,whereas only 1.3% (three patients) were 65 years orolder.Conclusion major Thalassaemia exhibited a highprevalence in Vlora Regional Hospital representinga serious public health challenge for this region ofAlbania. Prevention of Thalassemia can only berealized through a careful preliminary diagnosis ofadults who may be carriers of Thalassemia inorder to control birth events of sick children withThalassemia.Keywords: prevention, Thalassemia, Vlora.36 ALBANIAN MEDICAL JOURNAL SUPPLEMENT