Living with chronic hepatitis C means `you just haven't got a normal life any more'
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- S. Conrad
- Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, 4059, Australia,
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- L.E. Garrett
- Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, 4059, Australia
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- W.G.E. Cooksley
- The Department of Medicine, The School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston Road, Herston, Queensland, 4029, Australia
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- M.P. Dunne
- Centre for Public Health Research, Queensland University of Technology, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, 4059, Australia
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- G.A. Macdonald
- Liver Metabolism Unit, Centre for Diabetes and Endocrine Research, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, c/o The Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Queensland, 4102, Australia
Description
<jats:p> Objective: To explore psychosocial factors that impact on quality of life for people living with self-reported chronic hepatitis C. </jats:p><jats:p> Methods: A purposeful sample of 70 people who were self-identified as being hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive was recruited through a variety of institutions and community agencies. Semi-structured interviews were held with 12 groups and 21 individuals. A qualitative grounded-theory methodology was used for data collection and analysis. Experiences of physical and psychological symptoms, stigma and discrimination, and living with an infectious disease, were explored using matrices. </jats:p><jats:p> Results: Phenomena emerging from the data included previously undocumented illness `attacks' that were associated with depressive symptoms and a perception of hepatitis C as fatal. Uncertainty related to disease progression and transmission of the virus were common experiences among participants. A universal experience was fear and anxiety about stigma and discrimination. </jats:p><jats:p> Discussion: The findings of this study indicate that chronic hepatitis C has a pervasive impact on quality of life with a complexity that has not been explored with quantitative research approaches. Primary healthcare professionals need to be alert to the psychological and social impacts of chronic hepatitis C and to avoid behaviours that lead to perceptions of stigma and discrimination. The research indicates a need for further investigation into the relationship between psychosocial factors, disease management and disease progression. </jats:p>
Journal
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- Chronic Illness
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Chronic Illness 2 (2), 121-131, 2006-06
SAGE Publications
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Details 詳細情報について
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- CRID
- 1360574095643699840
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- ISSN
- 17459206
- 17423953
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- Data Source
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- Crossref