Effectiveness of Nursing Intervention on Sexual Health of Women Undergoing Direct-Acting Antiviral Drugs for Hepatitis C Virus

HCV infection is a global health problem that has an impact on women's quality of life, including sexual
function. Novel treatments for HCV have been available in the form of direct-acting antiviral drugs
(DAAS) since their introduction in 2014. Nurses play an important role in promoting sexual health. This
requires the use of the proper communication style, diplomacy, and patience at times. The study aimed to
determine the effectiveness of the nursing intervention on the sexual health of women undergoing direct-
acting antiviral drugs for the Hepatitis C virus. Method: The research was carried out using a quasi-
experimental design, which consisted of a study and a control. Setting: The Outpatient Clinic of the
National Liver Institute at Menoufia University in Egypt served as the location for carrying out this
investigation. Sample: A purposive sample of 300 women who were chronically infected with HCV was
taken. A study group of 150 women who received acting antiviral drugs for treatment of the Hepatitis C
virus and routine outpatient clinic care in addition to routine nursing intervention (safe sex instructions,
measures that improve psychological status, and measures that improve sexuality) was compared to a
control group of 150 women who received only acting antiviral drugs for treatment of the Hepatitis C
virus and routine outpatient clinic care. Two instruments were used for data collection: Instrument 1
included the socio-demographic characteristics of the studied women and the women’s knowledge of
sexual health. Instrument II is related to the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Results: The study
revealed that the study group had statistically significantly lower FSFI scores than the control group
before DAAS and nursing interventions. While there was an improvement in all FSFI scores in the study
group after treatment and nursing intervention compared to before treatment, that improvement was
statistically significant. Conclusion: Infection with chronic HCV prior to cirrhosis had a detrimental
impact on all FSFI score domains. After DAAS and nursing intervention, there was an improvement in
all FSFI scores. Recommendations: Assessment of sexual health should be a part of the evaluation
protocol for all women with HCV before and after using DAAS. Also, a nursing intervention program
should be applied to all HCV women for sexual health promotion. Replicating a similar study on a large
sample in different maternity settings so that the results can be applied to all populations.