Impact of Education Program on Health Related Behaviors Among Patients With Chronic Viral Hepatitis C

Background: Hepatitis C virus infection is the major etiological agent of chronic hepatitis and liver disease worldwide. It is estimated that approximately 130-210 million individuals of the world population are chronically infected with HCV .Egypt has the highest prevalence of HCV is worldwide, representing that 15% of the general population in Egypt have HCV, responsible for almost 90% of infections that cause chronic liver disease and death in the country.Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an educational program on health related behaviors among patients with chronic viral hepatitis C treated by pegylated alpha interferon and ribavirin combination therapy .subject and methods :The research design was Quasi experimental. The sample constituted of 216 hepatic C patients were classified into two equal groups: control and study, treated by alpha pegylated interferon and ribavirin combination therapy in El-Tadamon hospital in Port -Said city. The tool that is used for data collections was Hepatitis C Virus Health Related Behaviors Assessment Questionnaire. Results: revealed that There was a statistically significant difference between the study and the control group regarding total scores health behaviors before, and after three and six months of the program (p= 0.018, 0.0001, 0.0001).The conclusion: depicted that statistically significant improvement of CHC patients' health behaviors was found regarding HCV disease during the health education program phases. Based on this finding, the research hypothesis was fulfilled. . Recommendation: The study recommended development of a health education unit in each specialized liver center with the availability of qualified and trained nurses. Nurses should hold sessions to provide health education and counseling for these patients.