The outcome of two teaching methods on creating awareness for hepatitis C patients adherent to therapeutic regimen

Hepatitis C represents a challenge to the health and well being of the patients and to health care system. In recent years remarkable progress has been made in hepatitis management and peg interferon/ribavirin combination therapy has become the slandered of care. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the outcome of two teaching methods on creating awareness for hepatitis C patients adherent to therapeutic regimen namely interferon and ribavirin therapy. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was utilized to conduct this study, the study was carried out at Assuite health population, and treatments unite of viral hepatitis and National Hepatology and Tropical Medicine Research Institute at Cairo. Sample: A purposive sample included 110 patients, 80 were adults and the rest of them 30 were adolescents from the previously mentioned settings. Tools:1) Patients' interviewing sheet to assess their knowledge about therapeutic regimen (pre / post tests), 2) An observation checklist to evaluate patients' practices regarding therapeutic regimen (pre / post tests), 3) Psychomotor assessment to determine patients' levels of anxiety and fatigue (pre / post test), 4) Patients condition assessment sheet (pre / post tests) and 5) Self-report weekly diary. Results: Showed that nearly two thirds of studied patients had poor knowledge and practices as regards their therapeutic regimen in pre / test compared to post/ tests. In addition, majority of them had sever anxiety and fatigue in pre - test compared to post tests. Moreover, significant reduction was indicated on treatment side effects in post tests. There are statistically significant differences between the effects of two teaching methods on the studied patients. Conclusion: The two teaching methods (educational program and instructional Booklet) were helpful in creating awareness for hepatitis C patients adherent to therapeutic regimen namely interferon and ribavirin therapy and reduction of treatment side - effects, added to educational program was more better and assistance for the studied patients compared to instructional Booklet. Recommendations: Further studies should be carried out on a large number of hepatitis C patients for evidence of the results and generalization.