<![CDATA[Thalassemia is a genetic disorder characterized by hemolysis of hemoglobin due to impaired globin chain synthesis. In patients with thalassemia major, repeated blood transfusions can cause iron overload that adversely affects growth; iron chelation therapy is required to remove excess iron and prevent long-term complications. This analytical observational study aimed to determine the relationship between adherence to iron chelation medication and dietary iron intake with growth status of thalassemia major patients at RSUD Idaman Kota Banjarbaru. A cross-sectional design was used involving 30 thalassemia major patients who met inclusion criteria. Instruments included the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale-8 (MMAS-8) to assess medication adherence, a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire to evaluate iron intake, and height-for-age measurement to determine growth status. Data were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation test with significance set at p < 0.05. Results showed that adherence to iron chelation therapy was mainly low (16%), while dietary iron intake was adequate in most patients (96.7%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant relationship between chelation adherence and growth status (p = 0.017), whereas dietary iron intake was not significantly associated with growth status. These findings underscore the importance of improving adherence to iron chelation therapy to support optimal growth in patients with thalassemia major.]]>
