Open AccessPHARMACOECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS AND QUALITY OF LIFE ASSESSMENT IN HEPATITIS C PATIENTS
Author(s) -
K Bulbul Sarwar,
Rabia Aslam,
Irfan Bashir,
Talha Jamshaid,
Husnain Hamid,
Tooba Mehboob,
Naila Tabassam,
Muhammad Jamshaid
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
pakistan journal of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2226-7018
pISSN - 2225-0891
DOI - 10.32413/pjph.v9i3.394
Subject(s) - medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , hepatitis c , hepatitis c virus , population , liver disease , hepatitis , sample size determination , disease , demography , environmental health , immunology , virus , statistics , nursing , mathematics , sociology
Background: Gradual liver damage occurs due to hepatitis C virus (HCV) that may result in liver fibrosis and even cancer. Pakistan is a developing country with the second highest prevalence 4.5-8% of hepatitis C. The main purpose of this study was to estimate the quality of life of people affected with hepatitis, to create general awareness about the disease and to determine pharmacoeconomic considerations of hepatitis C treatment. Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted in village Wali Pur Bura of District Nankana sahib, Punjab, Pakistan. Sample size determined by Daniels equation was 100, both male and female participants were included this study. The data was collected to assess the health status data of study population through validated questionnaire and a urdu version of tool EuroQol 5D-5L, comprising of five (5) questions covering the various aspects of health. Data were analyzed through SPSS version 16. Paired sample statistics for comparing two attributes of the study and frequencies were calculated. Results: In current study, majority (70 %) of patients were belong to the lower class and only 39% patients were aware of Punjab Government's participation in hepatitis free treatment plan. 60% patients showed marked reduction in quality of life and the reason behind was painful interferon therapy. Poor quality of life is observed due to the extra hepatic symptoms of HCV including depression. According to the health scale of 60 participants out of 100 was having below Average health status, 21 participants possessed Average Health while 19 participants had Excellent Health. Conclusion: Hence, concluded that due to hepatitis C, health as well as socioeconomic and family life is badly affected. Majority of the participants were having poor quality of life. Costly treatment is beyond the reach of majority of rural population that increases the incidence of depression among patients and their families.