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December 14, 2025
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December 14, 2025
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December 14, 2025
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Abstract

Thalassemia, a prevalent autosomal recessive disorder in Iraq with an incidence of 35.7 per 100,000. Affected individuals rely heavily on family caregivers for medical management and psychosocial support, which often results in significant caregiver emotional, mental, physical, and economic burden. This study aimed to identify the types of family caregivers’ burdens of thalassemia patients and to find out the association between types of burden and among caregivers’ and some sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was conducted in thalassemia and hemophilia center in Rania City. from September 22, 2024 to the end of April, 2025. This study employed a census approach, including all thalassemia clients' caregivers who were directly involved in patient care, which was 65 caregivers who have been providing care for thalassemia patient. The data were collected using a constructed questionnaire based on a review of relevant literature and standardized psychological assessment tools. A total of 65 caregivers, all of them were patients mainly (67.7%) were mothers. The overall caregiver burden for physical and financial problems was high and moderate burdens for psychosocial health problems. The study also showed an association between caregivers' socioeconomic factors (lower education, lower income, and specific marital statuses) and physical and financial burdens. Caregivers of thalassemia patients experience significant physical and financial hardships, as well as moderately impacted psychological and social aspects. The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) should subsidize thalassemia treatments and partner with NGOs to ease the financial burden. The Ranya Center needs integrated mental health services and peer support groups.

Keywords

Thalassemia caregivers’ burdens physical burdens psychosocial burdens

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Copyright (c) 2025 Harem Hama Najm, Blend B. Ameen

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