Effect of Educational Nursing Interventions Program on the Severity of Extrahepatic Manifestations among Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus

Abstract

Background: Many studies recommend that nursing interventions such as maintaining adequate hydration and light to moderate exercise, as well as rest keep HCV patients who suffer from extrahepatic manifestations tend to feel better. The nurses have a major role in the developing and implementing an effective nursing educational interventions for such sufferers. Aim of the study: This study aimed at identifying the effect of an educational nursing interventions program on the severity of extrahepatic manifestations among patients with chronic hepatitis C virus. Design: A quasi-experimental research design. Sample: Forty adult patients with HCV infection were assigned randomly. Setting: The present study was conducted at the Outpatient clinics of Shark El Madinah hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Tools: Three tools were used for data collection. Results: this study illustrated that all of the knowledge scores of the studied patients with hepatitis C virus were highly statistically significant improved post implementation of the educational program. There were no significant differences between score of nursing interventions with scores of severities of extrahepatic manifestations pre and 4 weeks post implementation of the program. While there were significant differences between them 8 weeks post implementation of educational nursing program. Conclusion: this study exemplified that all of the knowledge scores of the studied patients related to chronic HCV infection, its extrahepatic manifestations and nursing interventions to deal with these manifestations were highly statistically significant improved post implementation of the educational program. However, there is no significant difference between the scores of severity of extrahepatic manifestations among the studied patients pre and post implementation of educational program. Recommendations: it is recommended that educational nursing intervention program should be applied to all patients with chronic hepatitis C virus in suitable environment for teaching and supported with more audiovisual materials.