Social aspects of multiple sclerosis for Iranian individuals

Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the social aspects of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the Iranian individuals. Methods: A qualitative case study approach was used for this study, which is a part of a larger qualitative study about health care delivery system of MS. Participants were selected on the basis of purposive sampling method. Semi-structured interviews regarding the social aspects of MS were conducted with 18 MS patients, 6 family members and 7 health care providers. Besides interviews with the participants, documents related to the aim of the study, including weblogs, MS magazines, special websites of individuals with MS and news agencies. Data analysis was performed using the qualitative content analysis technique. Results: Data obtained has been categorised into five main categories, including confronting stigma symbols, the outcome of stigma, walling-in due to stigma, disturbance in normal life and concern about job. Conclusion: There are multiple social effects of MS on the afflicted individuals, which affect various dimensions of their life. Policy makers and health care providers must also consider these effects of MS on other dimensions of the individuals’ life.

Implications for Rehabilitation

• Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease which restricts social life for patients, in addition to physical impacts. Individuals with MS experienced stigma as well as problems with employment and marital life, due to improper information about MS in society.

• We recommend that health care workers offer proper information about MS to patients and their family members to minimise the social problems faced by them.

• We recommend that mass media offers proper information about MS to people in society to disseminate the correct picture of MS.

• We recommend that the rehabilitation team offers psychological support to patients and their families for their empowerment, to facilitate dealing with the impacts of the disease.

• We recommend that health care providers teach the family members about patient support and communication skills.

• Family
• interview
• multiple sclerosis
• nurses
• physicians
• social aspects
• stigma

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the individuals with MS, their family members and health care providers who participated in this study.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. This work was supported by the Isfahan University of medical sciences.