How accurate are blood tests without DNA testing?

In Cambodia, it seems they do blood tests for thalassemia, but not DNA tests.

Using blood tests alone, with what percentage of people tested could it be definitely determined if they have or don't have thalassemia trait?

Blood can be sent to France for DNA testing, but it may be too expensive for many people.

Because alpha thalassemia is a big problem in Southeast Asia, the only way testing would be fruitful would be if a hemoglobin electrophoresis test was done at birth, when alpha's Hemoglobin Bart's can be detected. This will also detect beta thal majors, but beta minors cannot be confirmed until after 6 months. DNA testing would probably prove to be to expensive to test the masses.

Thanks Andy.

Right now, while everyone is focused on the Coronavirus, it is not realistic to talk about thalassemia too much. We will see what happens as time passes.

I have talked to people who know people with thalassemia. They understand that those with obvious symptoms have it. Because people are less educated here, it may be a challenge to get some of them to understand that some carry the gene but do not have obvious symptoms. And because the pace of life is much slower, those with less energy may not know it.

Lack of awareness continues to be a main problem throughout much of the world.