Effect of Smart Phone-Based Educational Program on Self- Care Practices for Hepatitis C Patients

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Lecturer of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University,

2 Assistant professor of Community health nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Helwan University

Abstract

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) fronts a threat disease to the health of millions
of people and is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The use of new digital
health technology helps in providing quality assured education, as well, it has been proved to
positively affect self-care practices. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a smartphone-
based educational program on self- care practices for hepatitis C patients. Design: A quasi-
experimental research design was utilized in this study. Setting: This study was conducted at
the medical outpatient clinic affiliated to El Nasr Insurance Hospital. Sample: A purposive
sample of 100 Hepatitis C patients was selected and randomly divided into two equal groups.
Tools of data collection: One tool was used, Patients’ structured interview questionnaire: it
included four parts: Part 1) Patients’ demographic characteristics, Part 2: Past medical
history. Part 3) patients’ level of knowledge regarding HCV, and Part 4) patients’ self-care
reported practices. Results: The mean age of the study and control groups were (39.70 ±7.74)
and (39.560 ±9.532) respectively. The majority of study group had satisfactory knowledge
scores post smart phone program, the minority of study group had a good level of self-care
practices in the pre-program phase compared to the majority of them post smart phone
program implementation Conclusion: There were highly significant improvements in total
knowledge scores, reported self-care practices post smartphone educational program among
study group than control group. Recommendation: Updated counseling regarding self-care
practices must be included in the hepatitis C management standardized protocols.

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