Patients’ Perspective regarding Counselling about Hepatitis C Transmission: A Mixed Method Study in Rawalpindi, Pakistan
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
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.
Authors: Nimbal Imtiaz, Abid Khan, Humaira Mahmood, Sadaf Riaz, Shazia Mahmood Awan, Zahir Ud Din Babar
Institutions: National University of Medical Sciences, Military Hospital
Language: English
Topic: Hepatitis C virus research
Subfield: Hepatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410924850