title: Experiences and perceptions of patients living with hepatitis C in Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Hepatitis C (HCV) is a chronic disease that affects an individual's physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being throughout the illness. Although extensive literature is available on experiences of patients with hepatitis C in developed countries, very little exists in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. This article describes experiences of patients living with HCV in Karachi, Pakistan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using descriptive exploratory
  
  
  METHODS
  The three categories-perceptions and misperceptions, challenges and sufferings, support and shortcomings-were subsumed under the theme "deadly, dangerous, and devastating."
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with HCV experience profound challenges that are influenced by their level of education, financial capacity, cultural norms, family support, and the sensitivity of health care professionals. Several cultural practices existing in Pakistan identify the need for public awareness. The findings on health care professionals have implications for nursing and allied health continuing education.
authors.affiliation: The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. jiwaninoureen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Noureen Shehzad
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Jiwani
authors.forename: Raisa Begum
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Gul
authors.forename: Asho
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salih
authors.forename: Mehnaz
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanzala
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Pakistan; health care; hepatitis C; lived experience; stigma