ABSTRACT
Although many studies of the impact of haemophilia on the quality of life were conducted, there is hardly any data on the social status of haemophiliacs. It was the aim of our study to obtain data on the social status of Austrian haemophiliacs and to compare these with an age- and sex-matched reference population. Furthermore, we collected data on the quality of life of haemophilia patients. We conducted a case-control study in two Austrian haemophilia centres with 53 patients (mean age 36.7 +/- 10.6 years) and 104 male controls (mean age 36.7 +/- 11.1 years). Socio-demographic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire and quality-of-life data using the SF-36. More patients (56.6%) than controls (37.5%) were married (P = 0.023), whereas more controls (17.3%) than patients (3.8%) had a partner with whom they were not married (P = 0.016). The percentage having children was equivalent in both groups (47% and 41% respectively), but controls had more children (mean number 1.5 in patients and 2.1 in controls, P < 0.007). A greater number of patients was unemployed (34% of patients, 9% of controls, P < 0.001) as well as retired (23% and 4% respectively; P < 0.001). Patients had worse scores regarding physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain and general health (P < 0.001), whereas vitality, social functioning, role-emotional and mental health were similar in both groups. Despite their disability, most of the Austrian haemophiliacs share a sound family environment. This suggests that they are highly capable of coping with their chronic disease and is indicated by good scores for role-emotional and mental health.
Subject(s)
Hemophilia A/rehabilitation , Quality of Life , Social Class , Adult , Austria , Case-Control Studies , Educational Status , Employment/statistics & numerical data , Health Status Indicators , Humans , Male , Marital Status , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Prevention campaigns and new antiretroviral therapies caused a decline in HIV-infections as well as mortality from HIV/AIDS in industrialised countries. Despite this development AIDS is one of the ten mean causes of death worldwide, with 3,1 million deaths in 2002. Hence there is an urgent need for prevention and information campaigns, which ideally should start in early childhood or at school age. It is well known that preventive strategies start at a time when the risk or the possibility of a risky behaviour does not yet exist. A WHO-report in 1993 showed, that sex education often comes too late, as sexual activity of adolescents is already on its way. Persons who are already sexually active can be influenced to have fewer sexual partners and to increase safer sex methods. There is no evidence for causing a higher risk by sex education of adolescents. In Austrian schools numerous experts and organisations cooperate in the sphere of sex education and STD-prevention. School children in Vienna are confronted with this topic by the schools they attend according to the Sex Education-Act of 1970 on a voluntary basis. Various examples of effective teaching models prove intensive efforts and successful interdisciplinary cooperation. This study analyses common risk-reduction-methods and describes the Austrian way of HIV/AIDS/STD prevention in school children, although there is no obligation for sex education in schools, according to the School Teaching-Act of 1986, which leads to better knowledge and subsequent risk behaviour of adolescents in the same geographical area.
