knowledge and attitude assessment of iranian multiple sclerosis patients receiving interferon beta.

background:  multiple  sclerosis  (ms) patients permanently confronted  with serious challenges from treatment regimen. developing  a new  questionnaire in ms management, through  evaluation  of patients’ perspectives   and  knowledge   regarding   treatment  will help  to  identify the  sources  of tension, and  to  build  a therapeutic   alliance.   we   purposed   to   describe    ms patients’ understanding of their treatments. methods: about 425 completed and returned questionnaire were assessed  of a total of 500 recruited  ms patients. the knowledge   of  correct  using  interferon-beta  (ifn-β)  and attitude   toward  medical  care  were  assessed   using  self- reported questionnaires consisted of 25 items with validity of multidisciplinary panel and pre-testing on 20 patients. results:  knowledge  about  ifn-β  therapy  was  very low; however, attitude  was at a high level. female patients, self- injection ability, higher educational level, normal functional status, delay from the start of diagnostic workup to definite diagnosis, and being younger were related to a higher level of  knowledge.  attitude  was  associated   with  functional status,  family  history  of  disease   and   the   summary  of knowledge variable. conclusion: developing educational  interventions  are needed for ms patients  regarding  to  their  low levels of knowledge.