[Social conditions of hemophiliacs]

The objects of this investigation were 1. to describe the social conditions of haemophiliacs by means of questionnaires and to compare these with the population as a whole and 2. to investigate the social integration of haemophiliacs as assessed by type of family, occupation, club membership and contact with family and friends. The group investigated consisted of all Danish haemophiliacs with moderate to severe factor VIII and IX deficiency and cases of severe von Willebrand's disease. 64% replied (n = 135). Comparison by the age stratification with the population as a whole, showed that fewer haemophiliacs in the age group 25-44 years lived with partners and children and that more lived with their parents or alone. Haemophiliacs had a higher school education and more haemophiliacs were currently receiving occupational training. The occupational frequency was low for all age groups and more haemophiliacs had reduced working hours. The frequencies of contact with friends and family and access to practical assistance corresponded to that of the population as a whole. Social integration was correlated directly with school education and occupational training and satisfaction with contact with other people and inversely correlated with age, contact with social welfare offices and number of social payments received. Only a total of 6% of haemophiliacs were very poorly socially integrated.