Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
Volume 48, Issue 4, 2017, Pages 864-874

Prevalence and characterization of thalassemia among migrant workers from Cambodia, LAO PDR and Myanmar in Thailand (Article)

Buakhao J. , Khumpun P. , Winichagoon P. , Fucharoen S. , Paiboonsukwong K.*
  • a Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Nonthaburi, Thailand
  • b Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol UniversityNakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • c Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol UniversityNakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • d Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol UniversityNakhon Pathom, Thailand
  • e Thalassemia Research Center, Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol UniversityNakhon Pathom, Thailand

Abstract

Thalassemia is one of the most common inherited diseases worldwide and is considered as a major public health concern in many countries including Thailand. With the establishment of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), thalassemia prevention and control in Thailand will be more difficult as more AEC workers migrate into the country. This study characterized prevalence of thalassemia among migrant workers from Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. Among 3,227 blood samples, 46.9% were thalassemia heterozygotes or disease, with 17 different thalassemia genotypes. Highest prevalence of homozygous (12.8%) and heterozygous (39.7%) Hb E were among workers from Lao PDR, while prevalence of a-thalassemia 1 carrier (1.8%), α-thalassemia 2 carrier (19.9%) and β-thalassemia heterozygote (3.9%) were highest among workers from Myanmar. These data should prove useful in formulating health policy for prevention, control and treatment of thalassemia among these migrant workers in Thailand. © 2017, SEAMEO TROPMED Network. All rights reserved.

Author Keywords

Lao PDR Migrant worker Cambodia Myanmar Prevalence thalassemia

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85041287321&partnerID=40&md5=ea8878a515a462585e681b98052985a2
ISSN: 01251562
Cited by: 2
Original Language: English