OBJECTIVE: To understand the reasons why the adolescent hemophiliac does not adhere to hemophilia treatment. METHODS: A qualitative study, conducted with seven adolescents, whose data were collected through semistructured interviews, using symbolic interactionism as the theoretical reference and interpretive interactionism as the methodology. RESULTS: Adolescents can not meet the demands and difficulties of the recommended treatment alone, they do not assume responsibilities inherent in this, and at the same time, judge what is appropriate treatment, while not valuing as essential the preventive aspects and feeling disbelief of its effectiveness against complications, as well as being dissatisfied with the care received in the service. CONCLUSIONS: The results reinforced the importance of family support to guarantee continuity of treatment for the adolescent hemophiliac and to provide additional subsidies to rethink care provided to them in specialized services, in order to facilitate the delivery of assistance geared to the demands of this population.
Hemophilia A; Adolescent health; Adolescent health services; Patient dropout; Pediatric nursing