Perceptions of Multiple Sclerosis in Hispanic Americans: Need for Targeted Messaging

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sociology
• Cultural Studies

Background:

• Illness perceptions significantly influence well-being in multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Hispanic cultures often attribute illness to strong emotions.
• Understanding these perceptions in Hispanic Americans is key to identifying cultural barriers in MS care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the perceptions of multiple sclerosis (MS) among Hispanic Americans.
• To explore cultural factors influencing MS illness perceptions in this demographic.

Main Methods:

• Utilized semistructured interviews, focus groups, and registry data from the University of Southern California Hispanic MS Registry.
• Stratified data into environmental, biological, and sociocultural determinants.
• Employed logistic regression to analyze relationships between sociocultural perceptions, place of birth, and ambulation.

Main Results:

• Sociocultural perceptions, especially attributing MS to strong emotions, were significantly more common in immigrant participants compared to US-born participants (aOR, 3.66; P = .03).
• Differences in perceptions were noted based on place of birth.
• While not statistically significant, male, low-education, and low-income participants also showed a tendency to perceive MS as a result of strong emotions.

Conclusions:

• Hispanic American perceptions of MS vary by place of birth, with cultural idioms more prevalent among immigrants.
• These differing perceptions may influence disease management strategies.
• Findings can inform the development of targeted educational interventions to enhance MS-related well-being in Hispanic populations.