title: Complexity and uncertainty of living with an invisible virus of hepatitis B in Korea.
abstract: The objective of this study was to explore infected Koreans' perceptions, knowledge, and experiences of living with a hepatitis B virus (HBV)-positive diagnosis. The qualitative, descriptive study with a purposive sampling method was utilized. Participants were recruited from hepatology outpatient clinics at an urban Korean university hospital. The findings of this study illustrate the complexity and uncertainty of living with an invisible virus once that one's HBV positive status is known. The themes highlight misunderstanding, confusion, uncertainty, and various perceptions of health management with which the patients have been living. Education of both the general public and people with HBV infection is necessary to reduce HBV infection by preventing transmission of the virus and protecting the livers of infected patients from further damage.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing & Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Boulevard, Boston, MA 02125-3393, USA. haeok.lee@umb.edu
authors.forename: Haeok
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jin Hyang
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Myung Ok
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fawcett
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult