Assessment of Acute Hepatitis C patients’ Performance regarding Self-Care Management for Complications Prevention

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) is an important public health problem in both developed and developing countries specifically Egypt which contains the highest prevalence of hepatitis C in the world. The aim of this study was to assess acute hepatitis C patients’ performance regarding self-care management for complications prevention. Research design: A descriptive research design was used. Setting: this study was conducted in hepatic department at Benha Fever Hospital. Sample: A purposive sample of 120 acute hepatitis C patients admitted in the previous mentioned setting. Tool: Patients’ interviewing questionnaire that included the following parts; socio demographic characteristics, knowledge and self-reported practice assessment regarding self-care management. Results: More than half of studied subjects had unsatisfactory knowledge score and adequate practice score regarding self-care management. There was no statistically significant relation between patients' knowledge and their demographic data. There were statistically significant relations between patients’ practice and their demographic data; marital status, educational level and gender. While, there were no statistically significant relation between patients’ practice and age, residence, occupation, monthly income P˃0.05. Conclusion: Nearly two thirds of the studied subjects had unsatisfactory knowledge score regarding HCV and self-care management for complications prevention. However, more than half of them had adequate self-care management practice. The study recommended that development of health education program for HCV patients and their families to teach them how to apply self-care management practices for complications prevention is very important.