Effectiveness of an Instructional Program Concerning Secondary Polycythemia Knowledge on Clients Attending Iraqi National Blood Bank

Abstract

Background: Secondary Polycythemia (SP) mean an elevated of erythrocytes numbers and hemoglobin above
normal levels which as more than 18 g / liter in males or 16 g / liter in females, and the elevated red blood cell
above the normal level lead to many complication as thromboembolisim, hypertension, and gout.

Objective: The study aims to assess find out the effectiveness of instructional program application on secondary
polycythemic clients.
Methodology: A quasi-experimental design study conducted in Iraqi national blood bank in the period of
January, 13th 2015 to September, 1st 2015, the study sample consist of 70 clients have hemoglobin level more
than 18 mg/dl for males and 16 mg/dl for females, divided into two groups (35) case and (35) control groups.
The study instrument was composed of three parts which as socio- demographic information was included; (age
group, gender, marital status, level of education and occupational, and second parts deals medical history which
include (weight, height, Hb level, other diseases, smoking and alcohol drinking). part three consist of 11 domains
concerned to clients knowledge toward the SP which include (general information about SP include (definition,
causes and symptoms), diagnosis, complication, treatment, and treatment plan which include (diet, smoking and
alcohol, exercise, control on blood pressure, blood donation, relaxation and follow. The validity of the instrument
was established through a panel of (10) experts, the reliability of the items was based on the internal consistency of the questionnaire was assessed by calculating Cronbach s' Coefficient alpha which as= 0.75. The data have
been analyzed through the application of: descriptive frequency, percentages; mean of scores; and the inferential
analysis that include: Analysis of variance and the researcher used the SPSS version 20 to analysis of data.

Results: the findings revealed that the 97.1% of the case group were males at age 37-41 years old, 71.4% were
married, 31.4% primary school graduate, 54.3% of the case group have free job, 68.6% of them were cigarettes
smokers, low percent of the case group smoking water pip, and 25.7% of them have drinking alcohol.

Conclusion: the study concluded that the program has a clear impact on improving the knowledge of clients
relating to the definition and symptoms and how to control the disease through the pretest and posttest of the
program.

Recommendation: the study recommends increase health awareness among young people through the
implementation of courses and lectures for youth in coordination with the Ministries of Health and Education and
Higher Education in order to control the causes of disease and their risks.