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Research questions: Is there any difference in the level of perceptions and practices among parents of thalassemic children attending govt. and non-govt. institutions? Objectives: (1) To assess the financial burden imposed by thalassemic patients on their families. (2) To compare the level of awareness among the parents of thalassemic children regarding causation of the disease. (3) To compare the measures adopted by these parents to prevent birth of an affected child in future. (4) To compare the requirement and procurement practices of blood by these parents for their affected children. Study design: Cross-sectional. Setting: Pediatric ward of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital (RGKMCH), Kolkata and the Thalassemia Society of India (TSI), Kolkata. Participants: All accompanying parents of thalassemia children admitted in the pediatric ward of RGKMCH and of those attending TSI during the study period. Statistical analysis: Chi square test, t test. Results: Compared to the thalassemic children attending govt. hospital, those attending the NGO were of higher age group, were under treatment for longer duration and required blood transfusions more frequently; most of their parents were literate (96% mothers attending TSI Vs. 47.1% mothers attending RGKMCH), more aware about the hereditary nature of the disease (90% Vs. 64.5%), donated blood more frequently (76% Vs. 50%), spent more for their children (2/3rd Vs. 1/5th) and underwent screening tests for carrier state detection in more numbers (78.6% Vs. 45.7%). Adoption of birth control measures by the parents in both the groups, however, showed no significant difference.

Background: Birth preparedness and complication readiness (BPCR) is the process of planning for normal birth and anticipating the actions needed in case of an emergency which is critical in averting maternal morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To find out awareness and practices regarding BPCR among pregnant and recently delivered women in Bankura, West Bengal. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, community-based study was carried out among 120 pregnant women and 235 recently delivered women. Information on sociodemographic variables as well as awareness and practices regarding BPCR were collected through semi-structured interview. For statistical analysis Z-test was used. Results: The majority of respondents (69.3%) had registered for antenatal care within the first 12 weeks of their pregnancy and 74.0% of the recently delivered women had four or more antenatal check-ups and 81.3% had institutional delivery. The BPCR index of pregnant women and recently delivered women was 45.2 and 59.0, respectively, whereas BPCR index of the total was 52.1. Conclusion: Although the BPCR indicators are satisfying, the health system should use the opportunity during visits to health institutions to increase awareness among the pregnant women and her family on how to plan for the pregnancy and identify danger signs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]