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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Sabine Twork, MD PhD¹, Markus Wirtz², Joerg Klewer, MD PhD³, Antje Bergmann, MD PhD⁴, and Joachim Kugler, MD PhD¹. (1) Department of Health Sciences/Public Health, Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany, 0049-351-458 5018, sabine_twork@hotmail.com, (2) North Rhine Westphalian Section, German Multiple Sclerosis Association, Kirchfeldstr. 149, Duesseldorf, 40215, Germany, (3) Dept. of Public Health and Nursing Science, University of Applied Science Zwickau, Dr.-Friedrichs-Ring 2a, Zwickau, 08056, Germany, (4) Department of General Medicine, Dresden Medical School, Fetscherstr. 74, Dresden, 01307, Germany

Objective: Circumstances and quality of life, coping behavior and care in mothers suffering from Multiple sclerosis (MS) bringing up children. Method: A anonymous standardized questionnaire was sent to 7050 members of the North Rhine Westphalian section of the German Multiple Sclerosis Association. Questions concerned sociodemografic data, MS related topics, pregnancy, coping strategies (FQCI) and quality of life (MSQOL-54). Response rate was 44.8%. We compared 482 female MS patients raising children aged < 18 years to 607 childless women with MS. Results: There were no statistically significant differences concerning age, course of MS, number of exacerbations, MS complaints, use of wheelchair and MS therapists between female MS patients with or without children. Main complaints were walking problems, paraesthesia and problems in coordination. Main therapists were neurologists, family doctors and physical therapists. Mothers with MS more frequently had a relationship, a higher monthly net income, were less employed, EDSS-scale was lower and duration of disease shorter. Concerning quality of life mothers with MS showed a better social function and coped better by searching for a sense in life and religiosity. Conclusion: Raising children while suffering from MS means additional afforts but gives those women a stronger sense in life. Course of disease or complaints do not worsen. Social integration is better and coping with MS becomes easier. Health care professionals should encourage and support those women in family planning and consider special needs of mothers with MS.

Learning Objectives:

• After the presentation participants should be informed about life conditions and coping behavior in mothers with Multiple sclerosis (MS). Suffering from MS should not be a reason to dissuade those women to raise children. Participants should recognize impairments in MS mothers but also their quality of life and coping behavior. With other public health experts we would like to discuss, how to lead and improve consultations concerning family planning in women with Multiple sclerosis.

Keywords: Chronic Diseases, Maternal Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered