Assessment of Patients with Beta-thalassemia.

Background: Thalassemia major has become a public health problem worldwide, mainly in developing and poor countries, while the role of educating the family and community has not been considered enough in patients' care. Purpose: This study was done to examine the impact of partnership care model on mental health of patients with beta-thalassemia major. Materials and Methods: This experimental study, with pretest and posttest design, was performed on patients with beta-thalassemia major in Jeddah city. 40 patients with beta-thalassemia major were assigned randomly into two groups of intervention (20 patients) and control (n=20) groups. Mental health of the participants was measured using the standard questionnaire before and after intervention in both groups. The intervention was applied to the intervention group for 6 months, based on the partnership care model. Results: There were significant differences between the scores of mental health and its subscales between the two groups after the intervention (P< 0.05). Conclusions: The findings of the study revealed the efficacy and usefulness of partnership care model on mental health of patients with beta-thalassemia major; thus, implementation of this model is suggested for the improvement of mental health of patients with beta-thalassemia major. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]