Abstract
Objective: To explore the social vulnerabilities of the
parents of thalassemia major children.
Methodology: The study was carried out through
qualitative research approach. In-depth interviews
were conducted with fourteen families in two tehsils of
district Kotli, including tehsil Kotli and tehsil Nakyal
employing snowball sampling strategy. The collected
data were analyzed through thematic analysis
technique.
Results: The parents of thalassemia major children
had very little awareness about the disease and came to
know only when their children were identified as
thalassemia major. They had to face several problems
including lack of services available for early diagnosis
and treatment and difficulty in arranging donors
regularly for blood transfusion. The disease negatively
affected their socioeconomic conditions. Due to
negative social attitudes towards the disease, the
parents were continuously stressed about the future of
their children.
Conclusion: The parents of thalassemia major
children face social, cultural, economic and
psychological challenges while taking care of their
children.
Keywords: Thalassemia major, social vulnerabilities,
diagnosis, treatment, psychological stress.
