Genetic Counseling to Reduce the Level of Depression in Parents of Children with Thalassemia Major

Abstract

Thalassemia major is a chronic disease that the prevalence in Indonesia is increasing from 3,653 cases in 2006 to 5,501 cases in 2011. Besides having an impact on the patient’s health physically, thalassemia major also gives psychological consequences, such as depression, on parents of patients with thalassemia major. The aim of the study to investigate the impact of genetic counseling in reducing depression level on parents of children with thalassemia major. This was a quasi-experimental study using a pretest-posttest group design. In total, 44 parents met the inclusion criteria. The parents received genetic counselling to better understand and cope with thalassemia major. Beck Depression Inventory II was used to measure parental depression level before and after genetic counselling was conducted. The Wilcoxon test as well as paired- sample t-test were applied for comparison analysis. The majority of participants (65.91%) reported lower depression after they received the genetic counselling session (Meanpre=16.31; Meanpost=11.50; p<0.001). The results highlight the positive impact of a genetic counselling on reducing depression on parents of children with thalassemia major.