Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: Viral hepatitis is a significant and worldwide health problem. The main purose of treating and caring of patients with chronic disease is to promote life satisfaction and well being feeling. In most of the patients with chronic hepatitis, especially those treated with interferon, quality of life is less than normal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of education on quality of life of patients with chronic hepatitis treated with P-D Feron who had referred to Hepatitis Center-Tehran. Patients and Methods: The present study was done as a semi experimental research with two separate groups: case and control. The intervention included educating the method of self injection of alpha-2B interferon(P-D feron) and following the continuous treatment with interferon. Sampling method was a non-randomized method and carried out according to the subject characteristics. Sample size was 60 patients, grouped randomly in two 30 patient groups(case and control). Data gathering tool was a demographic characteristics questionnaire and the questionnaire of Quality of Life in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease(CLDQ). Educational program was done in four "45 minute sessions" for case group and their relatives. The follow up period was 12 weeks. Quality of life in patients with chronic hepatitis was measured in two stages, before initiating interferon therapy, and after performing educational program. Finally, the quality of life in two groups was compared by Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. Results: There wasn't significant difference in demographic characteristics of two groups(P>0.005). The total score of quality of life in two groups, before therapy did not show significant difference(P=0.351) while 12 weeks after performing educational program there was a significant difference between two groups(P<0.001). Wilcoxon statistical test showed that total score of quality of life in case group had a significant difference before and after performing educational program(P<0.001), and had improved after performing educational program. The total score of quality of life in control group didn't have significant difference after 12 weeks(P=0.143). Conclusion: Planning short and simple educational programs has a significant effect on the patient's control on his/her disease and its' side effects and can improve quality of life, life satisfaction feeling, and coping with treatment in patients with viral hepatitis.