Report highlights plight of Soweto women with rheumatoid arthritis
A new report has shown that women living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in poor conditions in the Soweto area of South Africa face serious problems made worse by poverty and the lack of basic services.
The team from the Human Science Research Council in South Africa published their findings in the journal Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.
Their trial involved 60 women with RA living in Soweto, who were interviewed about all aspects of their disease. It was found that the women reported pain, muscle stiffness and reduced mobility as the main problems associated with RA.
They also said that using transport and obtaining and maintaining employment proved difficult. In addition, the women claimed that interacting socially, taking part in community activities and fulfilling social roles were problematic.
The team noted that a lack of transport and basic services, such as electricity, and the attitudes of others meant that the women with RA felt a sense of social exclusion.
As a result, Dr Marguerite Schneider and the rest of the team concluded: "The experiences of living with RA in a low resource context are similar to those in mid- and high resource contexts, but are exacerbated by poverty and the lack of basic services.
"Pain and social exclusion are some of the key experiences of women with RA living in Soweto."
An Arthritis Research Campaign spokesman said that social deprivation was known to lead to worse outcomes in people with RA.
Recent related stories:
04 December 2008
03 December 2008
03 December 2008
02 December 2008
02 December 2008
02 December 2008
02 December 2008
RSS feed 