Characteristics | n (%) |
---|---|
Age in yearsa | 27 (7.4) |
Gender | Â |
 Male | 87 (44) |
 Female | 109 (56) |
Ethnic | Â |
 Malay | 121 (62) |
 Sabah and Sarawak indigenous (e.g. Kadazan-Dusun) | 40 (20) |
 Chinese | 35 (18) |
Types of thalassaemia | Â |
 Beta thalassaemia major | 126 (64) |
 HbE beta thalassaemia | 59 (30) |
 HbH disease | 11 (6) |
Types of comorbidity (n = 179) |  |
 Musculoskeletal | 23 (13) |
 Endocrine | 21 (12) |
 Cardiovascular | 6 (3) |
 Blood infection | 4 (2) |
 Psychological | 4 (2) |
 Multiple | 16 (9) |
 Others | 6 (3) |
Medication | Â |
 Iron chelators | 191 (97) |
 Hormonal medication | 110 (56) |
 Cardiac medication | 8 (4) |
 More than 1 group of medication | 157 (80) |
Mode of administration of iron chelating agents | Â |
 Subcutaneous only | 25 (13) |
 Oral only | 78 (40) |
 Combined oral and subcutaneous | 88 (45) |
 None needed | 5 (3) |
Frequency of hospital visits (n = 194) |  |
 Once a month | 80 (41) |
 Twice a month | 70 (36) |
 More than twice a month | 44 (23) |
Monthly income (n = 172, included those participants with a previous employment) |  |
 Less than RM1000 | 62 (36) |
 Between RM1000 and RM2000 | 60 (35) |
 More than RM2000 | 21 (12) |
 Unemployed | 24 (14) |