Awareness of Guidelines in Families Living in Contact with Infective Hepatitis C Virus Patients in a Rural Community

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 B.SC. - Nursing, Zagazig University,

2 prof. of Community Health Nursing& Geriatric Nursing- Faculty of Nursing- Zagazig University

3 Lecturer of Community health Nursing- Faculty of Nursing -Zagazig University

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is becoming a global public health problem facing Egypt today where the highest hepatitis C virus prevalence of infection increases steadily with age and the rural populations show a higher prevalence than urban ones. Aim of the study: was to assess the awareness of guidelines in families living in contact with infective HCV patients in a rural community. Subjects and Methods: Research design: A descriptive design was used. Setting: The study was conducted at Al-Fawaksa and Al-Tal Al-Ahmer villages in Sharkia governorate. Subjects: 70 clients with HCV disease, and 140 of their family caregivers. Tools of data collection: Two interview questionnaires were used for data collection, one for each category, covering demographic and disease characteristics, health habits and risky practices, as well as knowledge of HCV. It also included a practical guidelines tool. Results: Only 45.7% of HCV clients had satisfactory knowledge related to HCV, and 28.6% had adequate practices. For caregivers, 20.7% had satisfactory knowledge, and 27.9% had adequate practices. Conclusion: HCV clients and their family caregivers have deficient knowledge and inadequate practice of HCV preventive guidelines; these scores are significantly and positively correlated. Recommendations: Intensive client and family caregivers’ education by community health nurses in Primary Health Care (PHC) settings and mass screening is needed, especially in rural areas are recommended.

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