title: Effect of family caregiver's involvement in educational program on health status of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.
abstract: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is an emerging problem worldwide, which diagnosis profound impact on patient and the caregiver well-being. This study assessed health status of patients with chronic HCV, and evaluated the effect of close family member (caregiver) involvement in the educational program on patients' health status. A purposeful sample of seventy two chronic HCV patients (40 males and 32 females) from out-patient clinic of the National Liver Institute free from other medical disorders with ages ranged from 27-62 years, were divided into two equal groups, GI: attended the teaching sessions alone and GII attended accompanying the family caregiver. Four tools were used; a structured interview questionnaire included subject's demographic and clinical data, 36- short form health survey questionnaire, life satisfaction profile and the educational program which included pre/post-tests. Data were collected through three phases, pre assessment phase, implementation phase and evaluation phase. The results revealed no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic and clinical characteristics (P > 0.05), and a significant improvement in subject's knowledge post program implementation. HCV patients had declined health status. Patients' health education gave a positive effect on improving their general health. Involvement of family member in the teaching sessions had a highly significant effect on patients' health status and their life satisfaction (P < 0.001).
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, The Nursing Institute, Military Medical Academy, Egypt.
authors.forename: Salwa Abdalla
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Mohamed
authors.forename: Mamdouh M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: El-Bahnasawy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D019698:Hepatitis C, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires