Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/6010
EVALUATION OF COMPLIANCE THROUGH SPECIFIC INTERVIEWS: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 73 CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA
Author
Affilliation
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. School of Medicine. Department of Pediatrics. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
CNPq research scholarship holder.
FAPEMIG research scholarship holder.
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Research Center René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, UFMG, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
CNPq research scholarship holder.
FAPEMIG research scholarship holder.
Oswaldo Cruz Foundation. Research Center René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate compliance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Method: Compliance was assessed through specific interviews.
Results: A total of 73 patients, aged under 18 and who had concluded the maintenance phase of chemotherapy, were enrolled on the study. Eighty-one per cent of the interviews were conducted with the patients. mothers; 92% of the families stated that medical instructions had been understood well. Interviews indicated that 27% of the patients did not receive their medication twice or more during the maintenance phase, without medical direction for this. These children were considered non-compliant. Sixteen per cent of the children failed to receive their medication three times or more. The main reason for non-compliance was forgetfulness. In ten cases the reported dosage of drugs was not that which was prescribed. No significant associations of non-compliance with parents. schooling level, number of family members or per capita family income were detected. The 8.5-year estimated probability of event free survival was 72.4% (95% CI: 59.2-82.3). The event free survival curves for non-compliant children were not statistically different from those for the compliant group. Conclusions: Results suggest that comprehensive approaches to the problem of non-ompliance are urgently needed.
Share