A Qualitative Study on Marital Challenges of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Background: Hepatitis B is a life-threatening viral infection that is mainly transmitted through blood; due to the presence of this virus in semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva, the possibility of transmission among couples during marital life still exists. Objectives: This study was conducted to specify the patients’ perception of their marital problems. Methods: In this descriptive qualitative research conducted in Iran, 32 patients with chronic hepatitis B were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes during 23 months in 2015 and 2016. The interview transcripts were coded by using MAXQDA10 software®. The utilization of thematic analysis approach was to extract categories and themes. Results: Participants of this study were in the chronic and inactive phase of hepatitis B. Participants’ age varied from 24 to 57 years. Three major themes were extracted: premarriage challenges, conjugal life with suffering, and lack of marital adjustment. Conclusions: Like other chronic diseases, chronic hepatitis B causes numerous marital challenges for the carriers of the disease. The partners of patients with hepatitis B can be used as self-care facilitating agents in the family to promote self-care of these patients and help better manage their marital challenges.