Opinion of Doctors on Discrimination of Female Patients Suffering from Hepatitis C During Pregnancy at Public and Private Hospitals of Islamabad

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C is viral disease that affects the liver in humans; globally it is very prevalent disease and a frequent cause of death. This study explored the HCV screening pattern during pregnancy and to establish national guidelines for HCV screening in the light of international guidelines during pregnancy based on suggestions of experts. Methods: A mix method cross sectional survey was conducted including gynecologist and obstetricians professionals working in the different government and private medical institutions. Sixty-four professionals were selected for quantitative part while fifteen were selected for the qualitative part. In dept interviews were conducted and using a questionnaire quantitative data was collected. Data was presented in the narrations, graphs and tables. Frequencies and proportions were calculated. Results: Among the study participants 85.9% experts agreed that we can follow international guidelines for HCV screening in our settings. The majority of the experts provided that National screening guidelines should be based on risk factor based. It was observed by the expert opinion that there is social and mental stigma among the pregnant females positive for HCV i.e. Feel badly labeled 73.4%, Discrimination during antenatal visits 29.7%, Discrimination during delivery 56.2%, Not sure about breast feeding 81.2%, Problem facing during baby care 50%, Personal relationship problems 65.6%, Problems at family level 59.3%, Social discrimination 73.4%, Mental stress 79.6% and Discrimination at job/work place 48.4%. Study participants provided that universal screening during pregnancy is necessary because of the various reasons including safety of the health care providers and to aware the health care providers about the safety measures during handling of a HCV positive case, Prevent the vertical transmission and it will provided the estimate about the HCV burden among the population especially among the pregnant population. Conclusion: Study concluded that there is social and mental stigma among the pregnant females positive for HCV.