Author/Authors :
Asadi Noghabi, Ahmad Ali School of Midwifery and Nursing - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Zandi, Mitra School of Medical Sciences - Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran , Mehran, Abbas School of Midwifery and Nursing - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Alavian, Moayed Baqiyatallah Research Center for Gastroenterology and Liver Disease - Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , Hasanpour Dehkordi, Ali Faculty of Medicine - Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord
Abstract :
Background and Aims: The main purpose of treating and caring for patients with chronic viral hepatitis is to promote life
satisfaction and a feeling of well-being in patients suffering from this disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
effect of education on quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis who were treated with Interferon alpha.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 60 patients with viral hepatitis. The intervention included
teaching them the method of self injection of Interferon alpha 2 b, giving them educational pamphlets and then following
their continuing treatment with interferon. Patients were randomly assigned to two 30-patient groups. The data- gathering
tool was a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the Quality of Life Questionnaire for Patients with Chronic
Liver Disease (CLDQ). The educational program was done in four 45- minute sessions for the case group and their relatives.
The follow-up period was 12 weeks. Quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis was measured before initiating
interferon therapy, and after the educational period. Quality of life in the two groups was compared.
Results: The total quality of life score in the two groups before therapy did not show any significant difference
(P = 0.351); while 12 weeks after education there was a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.001) in
three items including abdominal symptoms (P = 0.01), worry (P < 0.001) and emotional factors (P < 0.001). The other
three items did not show a significant difference between the two groups. The total quality of life score in the case group
was significantly different before and after education (P < 0.001), and improved after education. The total quality of life
score in the control group did not differ significantly after 12 weeks (P = 0.143).
Conclusions: Planning short and simple educational programs has a significant effect on the patient’s control of his/her
disease and its side effects; and can improve quality of life, life satisfaction, and mechanisms of coping with treatment
in patients with viral hepatitis.
Keywords :
Education , Viral Hepatitis , Quality of Life , Interferon Therapy
