Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #115536

Suzanne C. Smeltzer, RN, EdD, FAAN and Vanessa Zimmerman, RN, MSN. College of Nursing, Villanova University, 800 Lancaster Avenue, Villanova, PA 19085, 610-519-6828, suzanne.smeltzer@villanova.edu

Women with MS have reported negative health care experiences, lack of access to primary health care, and a low level of participation in health-promoting activities. A descriptive, comparative study examined efforts by women with MS-related disability to obtain primary health care and screening and to participate in health promotion, and to determine if these differ by level of disability. Demographics (e.g., age, duration of MS, ambulation status), experiences in obtaining health care, compliance with screening recommendations, and participation in health promotion activities were assessed via a survey developed with input from women with MS. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and chi square to compare responses by level of disability. Women (n = 267) from a random sample of 1000 female clients of a chapter of the MS Society completed mailed surveys. Most women (82.0%) reported positive experiences on 13 health care provider behaviors. They were current on health screenings except for fecal occult blood testing (20.7%) and bone density testing (18.7%). Few women (14.9%) engaged in weight-bearing exercise. Their responses did not differ by disability level. Compliance with recommendations for colon cancer and osteoporosis screening was low. Thus, greater attention needs to be given by health care providers and by women with MS to health promotion and screening to reduce risk for subsequent health problems, including colon cancer and osteoporosis.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the experiences of women with MS in obtaining primary health care and screening.
• Describe the participation of women with MS in health promotion activities.

Keywords: Health Promotion, Women's Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation