الفهرس 
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Abstract
Thalassemic adolescents need information about their disease in order to provide appropriate care, to decrease uncertainty, and to hold realistic expectations for their selves. The aim of the present study was to identify the impact of health instructions on improving knowledge and practices of thalassemic adolescents at Zagazig university hospital. A quasi experimental study was conducted on a sample of 50 thalassemic adolescents at the Pediatric Hematology Outpatient Clinic at Zagazig University Hospital in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Three tools were used in the present study. The first was a structured interview questionnaire to collect data about characteristics of the studied adolescents as well as their knowledge about β thalassemia major and chelation therapy. The second tool was a clinical checklist to evaluate adolescents during administration of deferoxamine subcutaneously with infusion pump. The third tool was health instructions to educate the studied adolescents about β thalassemia major and its management. The results of the present study revealed that the studied adolescents did not have satisfactory knowledge about their disease and its management before implementation of the health instructions. Thalassemic adolescent’s knowledge, and practices scores had been improved significantly after implementation of health instructions either immediately or 2 months later (P<0.01). Therefore, it can be concluded that health instructions had improved thalassemic adolescents’ knowledge and practices. Based on the results of the present study continuous health instructions and educational programs should be conducted for thalassemic adolescents about the disease, its treatment regimen and care practices. In addition, establishing a standard of care for thalassemia in hospital and clinics is essential.