RESULTS
The analytic cohort included 61 families with evaluable self-report adherence data (Table 1). Fifteen (25%, [95% CI, 14-37%]) patients met the study definition of 6MP non-adherence. Twenty-five percent did not have a medication-taking routine. Paternal education level differed significantly between adherent and non-adherent patients. Of the group of fathers who completed high school or more 81% were adherent compared to only 43% who did not complete high school (p=0.045). Five percent of participants endorsed difficulty paying for their 6MP, however this was not associated with non-adherence.
When asked “what would happen if your child stopped taking 6MP,” only N= 30 (49% [95% CI, 36-62%]) parents reported “relapse” or “cancer returning.” The most common reasons for missing 6MP were related to dosing restrictions around food or falling asleep prior to bedtime dose administration. Fourteen (23% [95%CI 13-36%]) parents reported that it was “not easy” to follow 6MP administration guidelines. Across the full cohort, N= 24 (39% [95% CI 27-53%]) participants suggested that printed calendars would help with adherence and N=35 (57% [95% CI, 44-70%]) expressed interest in receiving educational resources about 6MP