Qualitative study on the experiences of hepatitis B carriers in coping with the disease.

Aim: Hepatitis is a systemic infection that causes restrictions in the life of many patients due to its chronic nature and it necessitates the use of coping strategies to improve the quality of life. This study aims to demonstrate the experiences of hepatitis B carriers in coping with the disease.
Methods: The present study was conducted by using a qualitative content analysis. The data were collected through 18 unstructured and in-depth interviews from 2014 to 2016 at medical centers, a gastrointestinal and liver diseases research center in the cities of Babol and Amol (northern Iran) and Tabriz (north-western Iran) with patients infected with hepatitis B. The study was carried out by using purposive sampling.
Results: The data analysis led to the extraction of the main theme, "attempting an active expansion of interactions," and its three subthemes, including: "denial of the disease," "protecting oneself or others," and "coping with the disease."
Conclusion: Patients with hepatitis B use different strategies to cope with this disease. In order for patients to properly face the disease and to live with minimum challenges and limitations, they need to be suitably understood and supported. Therefore, consideration of education and consultation programs regarding the different aspects of this disease is urgent.
(© 2018 Japan Academy of Nursing Science.)