Effect of family caregiver's involvement in educational program on health status of patients with chronic hepatitis C infection.

Hepatitis c virus (hcv) infection is an emerging problem worldwide,which diagnosis profound impact on patient and the caregiver well-being. this study assessed health status of patients with chronic hcv,and evaluated the effect of close family member (caregiver) involvement in the educational program on patients' health status. a purposeful sample of seventy two chronic hcv patients (40 males and 32 females) from out-patient clinic of the national liver institute free from other medical disorders with ages ranged from 27-62 years,were divided into two equal groups,gi: attended the teaching sessions alone and gii attended accompanying the family caregiver. four tools were used; a structured interview questionnaire included subject's demographic and clinical data,36- short form health survey questionnaire,life satisfaction profile and the educational program which included pre/post-tests. data were collected through three phases,pre assessment phase,implementation phase and evaluation phase. the results revealed no significant differences between the two groups regarding demographic and clinical characteristics (p > 0.05),and a significant improvement in subject's knowledge post program implementation. hcv patients had declined health status. patients' health education gave a positive effect on improving their general health. involvement of family member in the teaching sessions had a highly significant effect on patients' health status and their life satisfaction (p < 0.001).