Patients’ Perspective regarding Counselling about Hepatitis C Transmission: A Mixed Method Study in Rawalpindi, Pakistan

Nimbal  Imtiaz; Abid Khan; Humaira  Mahmood; Sadaf  Riaz; Shazia Mahmood  Awan; Zahir Ud Din  Babar

doi:10.51253/pafmj.v75iSUPPL-4.10032

Authors

Nimbal Imtiaz Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Abid Khan Department of Anesthesia, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Humaira Mahmood Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Sadaf Riaz Department of Public Health, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Shazia Mahmood Awan Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pak Emirates Military Hospital/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan
Zahir Ud Din Babar Department of Preventive Medicine, Armed Forces Post Graduate Medical Institute/National University of Medical Sciences (NUMS) Rawalpindi Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51253/pafmj.v75iSUPPL-4.10032

Keywords:

Counselling, Hepatitis C, Health Education, Modes of Transmission.

Abstract

Objective: To identify patient’s perceptions regarding counselling by health care workers about modes of transmission of Hepatitis C and to explore barriers to counselling.

Study Design: Mixed method study.

Place and Duration of Study: Outpatient and Inpatient of Medical, Surgical, Gynaecology, and Pre-Anaesthesia Departments of Tertiary Care Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Aug 2019 to Feb 2020.

Methodology: After rigorous inclusion and exclusion criteria, 400 patients were selected for the study through consecutive sampling. After taking IRB an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to determine the level of counselling, and two focus group discussions were conducted to explore the patient’s perspective regarding barriers to counselling.

Results: The results show that 56.5% (n=226) patients perceived the level of counselling to be poor, 34.3% (n=137) found it to be satisfactory, and a mere 9.3% (n=37) perceived it to be good. Barriers to counselling were attitude, time, attention given by health care providers, the environment, monetary issues, and a lack of communication skills and professionalism.

Conclusion: The majority of the respondents reported that the level of counselling regarding the modes of transmission of HCV was poor. Moreover, the lack of attention, time, and attitude of the health care professionals were considered significant barriers to counselling.

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