Effect of Educational Program On Emotional Distress of Hepatitis C Virus Patients Undergoing Antiviral Treatment Therapy

Abstract

Majority of hepatitis C patients undergoing antiviral therapy have emotional distress which leads to face anxiety accompanies depression. Presence of increased anxiety and high depression may markedly increase fear among these patients which may lead to decreased willingness more refusal to have antiviral therapy. Objectives: To assess the effect of educational program on emotional distress of Hepatitis C virus patients undergoing antiviral treatment therapy. Methods: A one group pretest- posttest quasi experimental study was conducted in the Hepatitis C department of Jinnah Hospital Lahore, Pakistan. A purposive sample of n=32 patients was recruited. Adult patient, have a confirmed diagnosis of Hepatitis C, Age 18-60 years, on antiviral therapy for last 12 weeks were recruited. A, 6 weeks and 6 educational intervention sessions were provided. Each session consisted of 45-60 minutes. Validated tool of hospital anxiety and depression scale was used for data collection from participants to assess the emotional distress. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 21.0. Comparison of emotional distress scores before and after the intervention was analyzed using a paired t sample. A P value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistical significant. Results: The study results revealed a significant effect of the educational intervention program on emotional distress (Pre interventional emotional distress score 30.66 ± 5.807 and post interventional emotional distress score 19.03 ± 5.433) among hepatitis C patients (p- value <0.001) Conclusions: It is concluded that Nursing education program has effect on emotional distress among HCV patients undergoing antiviral therapy.