Stem cell banking emerges as a life saver in medical science- A study of parents' knowledge, awareness, and attitudes in India's rural areas

Abstract

Introduction: In India, nearly 70% of population belongs to rural area and small city. Rural areas have different perspective regarding the new technology. Nothing is simple for rural culture to understand and accept. It's human nature for us to progressively accept things. Stem cell banking will take place in the same manner. The master cells of the human body are stem cells. Stem cells may constantly develop into a wide range of cells, including blood cells, heart cells, and other organ cells. Stem cell banking is a method of collecting and storing stem cells that can be utilized to treat a number of diseases. The umbilical cord has become the world's primary source of stem cells; stem cells are being utilized to treat life-threatening illnesses in the metropolitan cities. Umbilical cord is the source of stem cell preservation. Thus, this study is all about understanding, awareness and attitude of parents regarding stem cell banking in rural area in India.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was provided to all participants to assess their fundamental understanding, awareness, and acceptability of stem cell banking. The study's sample was composed of 220 parents those regular visit in government and private hospitals district Muzaffarnagar in the Uttar Pradesh, India.

Results:  This study included 220 participants. Of 40 people has not been heard about stem cell banking, and 20 are unaware of stem cell. Parental knowledge indicates that 70% are fully familiar with the storage of umbilical cord, and 96.4% are aware of stem cell banking. The main source of parents' knowledge on stem cell banking is gynecologist, along with internet and advertisement. The source of information is highly significant to the parent’s awareness about stem cell banking. Perception of parents are changed almost 45% feel this is crucial for treatment of major disease in the future. Now, parents are interested in the stem cell banking but they need more information about the advantages and disadvantages about the stem cell banking.  The perceptions are highly significant to the information about umbilical storage.

Conclusion: Therefore, It was concluded that parents have become less aware of stem cell banking in rural area, almost two decades, so that the understanding of stem cell banking is expanding rapidly in metropolitan cities, which is very important for the growth of stem cell banking in India. Increase parent’s involvement in stem cell banking to recognize parent’s doubts about stem cell banking.