Assessment of Self-Efficacy and Self-Care Behaviors among Patients With Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Hepatitis C Virus is asystemic infection which has many consequences on patients’ life because of its chronic nature. Patient involvement in doing self-care is crucial for patients with chronic Hepatitis C in order to change their behaviors towards a healthy life style. The aim of this study: was to assess self-efficacy and self-care behaviors among patients with Hepatitis C Virus. Study design: a descriptive exploratory design was used. Setting: Hepatic outpatient clinic at Ain Shams University hospitals in Cairo– Egypt. Subjects: A purposive sample of 200 adult patients from both sex and free from other chronic disease.Data collection Tools: I-Demographic data assessment questionnaire for patients with Hepatitis C Virus,II-Clinical data assessment tool for patients with Hepatitis C VirusIII-Knowledge assessment questionnaire for patients with Hepatitis C Virus IV-Hepatitis C Virus Treatment Self-Efficacy (HCV-TSE).V-Hepatitis C Virus Self-Care Behavioral Scale (HCV-SCB) Results:The present study revealed that 86.0% of the studied patients had unsatisfactory level of knowledge about HCV, 73.0% had moderate level of self-efficacy and 86.0% had fair self-care behaviors.There was highly statistically significant correlation between total self efficacy and total dimensions of self-care behavior except psychological self care-behavior Conclusion: The majority of the studied patients had unsatisfactory level of total knowledge about Hepatitis CVirus, moderate level of self-efficacy and have fair level of self-care behavior with positive correlation between them Recommendations: Promotion and enhancement of the self-care modalities to HCV patients; through a strict written illustrated instruction prepared by specialists about HCV and its associated self-care behaviors