Psychosocial difficulties experienced by MS patients in their quality of life: A comparative study of two countries.

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.