Highlights
- •Governments, families, health workers, social workers and people with MS) should cooperate to improve social support mechanisms.
- •MS directly affects QOL as it follows an unpredictable process and causes loss of physical and social functions
- •Culture is a fundamental part of every society and is significant for the perception of the disease.
- •Receiving free psychological support at the time of diagnosis MS is a necessity.
- •Out-of-pocket health expenditures are extremely common among people with MS.
Abstract
Background
MS is deeply impacted by social factors, such as access to health services, support
from official and unofficial sources, and social welfare, which are also thought to
contribute to the quality of life of MS patients. The purpose of this study is to
examine the quality of life and to analyse the psychosocial challenges of MS patients
in North Cyprus and Germany.
Methods
This study was designed with a cross-sectional and comparative research method. The
personal information form and the WHO Quality of Life Scale Short Form were used.
A total sixty-eight participants joined the study: 35 German patients and 33 Turkish
Cypriot patients. Researchers collected the data by face-to-face interviews between
December 2021 and March 2022. The majority of MS patients were females average age
was 49.48 years old.
Results
In general, the two populations had comparable total sub-dimension scores of quality
of life. However, only environment sub-dimension score has significant difference
between Germany (x̄ =70.04) and North Cyprus (x̄ =55.87). Perceived opportunities
for accessing medication, physiotherapy, and psychological support, as well as the
opportunity to receive psychological support after the time of diagnosis were considered
greater in the German group compared to the Turkish Cypriot one.
Conclusion
Findings from this cross-sectional research demonstrate significant differences in
services provided, particularly in the psychosocial domain, between those in Germany
and those in Cyprus. Consequently, all parties in both countries (governments, families,
health workers, social workers and people with MS) should cooperate to improve social
support mechanisms. Moreover, it is needed better access to health services in Northern
Cyprus.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
March 2,
2023
Received in revised form:
February 20,
2023
Received:
November 22,
2022
Publication stage
In Press Journal Pre-ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
