Sociodemographic Determinants of Adherence and Treatment Efficacy in Paediatric Thalassemia Patients from Sarbaz-Rask, Iran

Abstract

Background: The effective management of iron overload in transfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) requires adherence to iron chelation therapy (ICT). However, adherence rates among pediatric thalassemia patients remain suboptimal. This study aimed to evaluate adherence levels and identify sociodemographic and clinical factors impacting ICT adherence in pediatric TDT patients from Sarbaz-Rask, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed 58 pediatric TDT patients aged 2–18 years at a thalassemia clinic from April 2021 to March 2022. Adherence was evaluated using the medication possession ratio. Logistic regression and correlation analyses identified predictors of adherence and treatment efficacy based on serum ferritin levels. Results: Adherence was satisfactory in 58.6% of patients and associated with younger maternal age (93.8% for 18–30 years, p = 0.008) and urban residency (p = 0.02). Logistic regression identified urban residency (OR = 20.265, p = 0.073) and a maternal age of 18–30 years (OR = 39.236, p = 0.005) as key predictors of adherence. Adherence was not significantly influenced by having a sibling with thalassemia or the maternal educational level. Treatment efficacy was observed in 27.6% of patients. Maternal age impacted adherence in poorly controlled patients (p = 0.007). Urban residents showed higher adherence rates, particularly with poor control (p = 0.017). Conclusions: Younger maternal age and urban residency emerged as positive predictors of adherence and treatment efficacy in pediatric thalassemia patients from Sarbaz-Rask. Targeted interventions supporting rural families and those with older maternal caregivers may improve adherence and outcomes in this population.

Keywords

• thalassemia
• iron chelation therapy
• adherence
• Iran