Impact Of An Eductional Program On: Knowledge And Practice Of Hepatitis C Infected Patients Treated By Pegylated Interferon And Ribavirin.

Background:Hepatitis C virus is an important public health problem in both developing and developed countries, while in Egypt there was the highest prevalence of hepatitis C in the world. Aim: aim of the studyevaluate the impact of an educational program on knowledge and practice among patients infected with hepatitis C virus who are treated with Pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin.Subject and Methods: The research designwas a quasi experimental design.  Thesample consistedof 100 patients with hepatitis C for study group and 50 patients control group A purposive who are age and sex matche as a positive control group. Data was collected through an interviewing questionnaire sheet, which including two tools, first; socio-demographic characteristics, patients’ history, past medical history and present medical history, second; assessment of  knowledge and practice.Results: The study resultsrevealed that, there was a highly statistically significant difference between pre and post program mean score in the study group after implementation of the educational program in total knowledge and practice with (p≤ 0.001), while in the control group there was no statistically significant difference related to knowledge between pre and post program with (p<0.125) while in practice with (p ≤1.000). Conclusion: The studyconcludedthat a highly statistically significant improvement in total knowledge, practice of the study group after implementation of the educational program. In the control group there was no statistically significant improvement. Recommendations: The study recommendedPromotion and enhancement of the self-care modalities to the patient; a strict written instruction with pictures about disease process, allowed foods, rest and physical activities and follow up should be continued after termination of the treatment through a rehabilitation program.