Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia
Background Thalassaemia is a significant public health concern in Southeast Asia, yet little is known about health risk behaviours in adolescents with this condition. This study aimed to compare health risk behaviours between adolescents with thalassaemia and healthy controls, and to identify associ...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Annals of Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2521441 |
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| author | Pattaporn Kaewkong Nonglak Boonchooduang Narueporn Likhitweerawong Pimlak Charoenkwan Orawan Louthrenoo |
| author_facet | Pattaporn Kaewkong Nonglak Boonchooduang Narueporn Likhitweerawong Pimlak Charoenkwan Orawan Louthrenoo |
| author_sort | Pattaporn Kaewkong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background Thalassaemia is a significant public health concern in Southeast Asia, yet little is known about health risk behaviours in adolescents with this condition. This study aimed to compare health risk behaviours between adolescents with thalassaemia and healthy controls, and to identify associated clinical and sociodemographic factors.Methods This cross-sectional study included 60 adolescents with thalassaemia (aged 10–18 years) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in Thailand. Health risk behaviours were assessed using the validated Thai Youth Risk Behaviour Survey. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with risk behaviours.Results Adolescents with thalassaemia reported higher rates of non-seatbelt use (25.0% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001) and mental health problems (13.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.027) compared to controls. However, they exhibited lower rates of inadequate exercise (70.0% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.045) and excessive screen time (66.7% vs. 96.7%, p < 0.001). In the thalassaemia group, older age (aOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.09–7.09), female gender (aOR = 39.73, 95% CI: 0.89–1770.49) and lower pre-transfusion haemoglobin levels (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01–0.64) were associated with increased odds of mental health problems. Higher pre-transfusion haemoglobin levels were associated with lower odds of violent behaviour (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21–0.92).Conclusions Adolescents with thalassaemia exhibit distinct patterns of health risk behaviours, influenced by age, gender and disease severity. These findings underscore the need for integrated physical and psychosocial care, highlighting the importance of tailored health education and interventions for this vulnerable group. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8a5fb06fd6b945b681879faed16d48c3 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 0785-3890 1365-2060 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Taylor & Francis Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Annals of Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-8a5fb06fd6b945b681879faed16d48c32025-08-20T02:35:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnnals of Medicine0785-38901365-20602025-12-0157110.1080/07853890.2025.2521441Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemiaPattaporn Kaewkong0Nonglak Boonchooduang1Narueporn Likhitweerawong2Pimlak Charoenkwan3Orawan Louthrenoo4Department of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandDepartment of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandDepartment of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandDepartment of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandDepartment of Pediatrics, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, ThailandBackground Thalassaemia is a significant public health concern in Southeast Asia, yet little is known about health risk behaviours in adolescents with this condition. This study aimed to compare health risk behaviours between adolescents with thalassaemia and healthy controls, and to identify associated clinical and sociodemographic factors.Methods This cross-sectional study included 60 adolescents with thalassaemia (aged 10–18 years) and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy controls in Thailand. Health risk behaviours were assessed using the validated Thai Youth Risk Behaviour Survey. Clinical data were extracted from medical records. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with risk behaviours.Results Adolescents with thalassaemia reported higher rates of non-seatbelt use (25.0% vs. 1.7%, p < 0.001) and mental health problems (13.3% vs. 0.8%, p = 0.027) compared to controls. However, they exhibited lower rates of inadequate exercise (70.0% vs. 86.7%, p = 0.045) and excessive screen time (66.7% vs. 96.7%, p < 0.001). In the thalassaemia group, older age (aOR = 2.78, 95% CI: 1.09–7.09), female gender (aOR = 39.73, 95% CI: 0.89–1770.49) and lower pre-transfusion haemoglobin levels (aOR = 0.09, 95% CI: 0.01–0.64) were associated with increased odds of mental health problems. Higher pre-transfusion haemoglobin levels were associated with lower odds of violent behaviour (aOR = 0.44, 95% CI: 0.21–0.92).Conclusions Adolescents with thalassaemia exhibit distinct patterns of health risk behaviours, influenced by age, gender and disease severity. These findings underscore the need for integrated physical and psychosocial care, highlighting the importance of tailored health education and interventions for this vulnerable group.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2521441Thalassaemiaadolescent healthrisk-taking behaviourchronic diseasemental health |
| spellingShingle | Pattaporn Kaewkong Nonglak Boonchooduang Narueporn Likhitweerawong Pimlak Charoenkwan Orawan Louthrenoo Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia Annals of Medicine Thalassaemia adolescent health risk-taking behaviour chronic disease mental health |
| title | Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| title_full | Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| title_fullStr | Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| title_short | Distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| title_sort | distinct patterns of health risk behaviours in adolescents with thalassaemia |
| topic | Thalassaemia adolescent health risk-taking behaviour chronic disease mental health |
| url | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/07853890.2025.2521441 |
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