The effect of opinions of women with multiple sclerosis on fertility to marital adjustment

In this study conducted, the opinions of women with multiple sclerosis (MS) on fertility and the effect of these opinions on couples' marital adjustment have been examined. In this regard in the study, a questionnaire was applied to 134 women with MS, who live in Kutahya's Merkez District, who applied to MS Patient Education School of Faculty of Medicine of Dumlupınar University, who are aged 20-49 receiving treatment and who are volunteer to participate in the study. Sample selection method was used in the research; patients who are diagnosed with MS according to the McDonald 2010 diagnostic criteria, who are women with RRMS or SPMS type MS and who are married for at least one year were included in the study. Questionnaire and Dyadic Adjustment Scale were used for data collection. The research data were collected by the researcher at MS Patient School on different days of the week between December 2017 and February 2018. The socio-demographic characteristics, questionnaire and dyadic adjustment scale were completed by the patients. Both forms lasted approximately 20 minutes. All data obtained from the study were analyzed in SPSS 22.0 statistical package program. Dyadic adjustment mean scores of patients included in the study was 88 ± 9.8, it was observed that there was a dyadic adjustment above the average, when the scale was evaluated according to the 0-151 score range. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the perception of the risk of having MS in children and communication between the dyadic adjustment (r = -0.232, p <0.01). There is a positive and statistically significant correlation between risk perception and dyadic adjustment consensus (r = 0.229, p <0.01). There was a statistically significant relationship between risk perception and dyadic adjustment emotional expression (r = 0.192, p <0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between risk perception and total score of dyadic adjustment (r = 0.214, p <0.05). As a result; assessment of pregnancy, birth and gynecological problems is recommended in the care of patients with MS. This recommend is considered that this will not improve the social life of the patient and the harmony with their spouses.