Level of Behavioral Development for Hepatitis C Virus Cases versus Their Contacts: Does Infection Make a Difference and What Is Beyond?

Authors: Ammal M. Metwally, Lobna A. El Etreby, Rehan M. Saleh, Ghada Abdrabou, Somia I. Salama, Amira Orabi, Mohamed Abdelrahman

Abstract:

Hepatitis C virus infection is a public health threat in Egypt. To control infection, efforts should be spent to encourage healthy behavior. This study aimed to assess the level of behavioral development in order to create a positive environment for the adoption of the recommended behaviors. The study was conducted over one year from Jan. 2011 till Jan. 2012.Knowledge, attitude and behavior of 540 HCV patients and 102 of their contacts were assessed and the level of behavioral development was determined. The study revealed that the majority of patients and contacts knew that HCV infection is dangerous with perceived concern for early diagnosis and treatment. More than 75% knew the correct modes of transmission. The assessment showed positive attitudes towards the recommended practices with intention to adopt those practices. Strategies of creating opportunities to continue the recommended behaviors should be adopted together with the reinforcement of social support.

Keywords: Hepatitis C virus, Level of behavioral development, recommended behaviors.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI): doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1089507

References:

[1] World Health Organization Global Alert and Response (GAR)(2009): HEPATITIS C Surveillance and Control.
[2] UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank, Annual Technical Report, Special Program of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction, 1998.
[3] Strategic Communication for Development Projects, World Bank, 1999.
[4] Deuffic-Burban S, Mohamed M.K., Larouzé B, Carrat F. and Valleron A.J. (2006): "Expected increase in hepatitis C-related mortality in Egypt due to pre-2000 infections.” J Hepatol, 44:455-61.
[5] Firpi R.J. and Nelson D.R. (2007): Current and future hepatitis C therapies. Arch Med Res. 2007; 38:678–690.
[6] Rajendra A. and Wong J.B.(2007): Economics of chronic hepatitis B and hepatitis C. J Hepatol. 47:608–617.
[7] Evon D.M, Verma A. and Dougherty K.A,(2007): High deferral rates and poorer treatment outcomes for HCV patients with psychiatric and substance use comorbidities. Dig Dis Sci.52:3251–3258.
[8] Kim A.I. and Saab S.(2005): Treatment of hepatitis C. Am J Med.118:808–815.
[9] Semaan S., Des Jarlai D.C., Sogolow E., Johnson, W.D.and Hedges, L.V.(2002): A meta-analysis of the effect of HIV prevention interventions on the sex behaviors of drug users in the United States. J. Acquir. Immune Defic.Syndr. 30 (Suppl. 1), S73–S93.
[10] Halm E.A, Mora P, Leventhal H.(2006): No symptoms, no asthma:the acute episodic disease belief is associated with poor self management among inner-city adults with persistent asthma. Chest; 129(3): 573–580.
[11] Horowitz C.R, Rein S.B, Leventhal H.(2004): A story of maladies, misconceptions and mishaps: effective management of heart failure. SocSciMed 58(3): 631–643.
[12] Horne R., Clatworthy J., Polmear A. and Weinman J.(2001): Do hypertensive patients beliefs about their illness and treatment influence medication adherence and quality of life? J Hum Hypertens 15(Suppl 1): S65–S68.
[13] K. Krauskopf, T. G. McGinn, A. D. Federman, E. A. Halm, H. Leventhal, L. K. McGinn and I. M Kronish.(2010): HIV and HCV health beliefs in an inner-city community Journal of Viral Hepatitis, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2893.2010.01383.
[14] Maryland Danielle C. Ompad, Crystal M. Fuller, David Vlahov, David Thomas, and Steffanie A. Strathdee (2002): Lack of Behavior Change after Disclosure of Hepatitis C Virus Infection among Young Injection Drug Users in Baltimore, Clinical Infectious Diseases 35:783–8.
[15] Richard S. Garfeina,g, Elizabeth T. Golubb, Alan E. Greenberga,i, Holly Haganc, Debra L. Hansona, Sharon M. Hudsond, FarzanaKapadiae, Mary H. Latkae, Lawrence J. Ouelletf, David W. Purcella, Steffanie A. Strathdeeg and Hanne Thiedeh (2007): AIDS 21:1923–1932 A peer-education intervention to reduce injection risk behaviors for HIV and hepatitis C virus infection in young injection drug users.