ABSTRACT
Was to assess the relationship between therapeutic nursing modalities among cirrhotic patients and quality of life. Methods: sixty adult male and female liver cirrhotic patients, were selected randomly, free from any associated comorbid diseases as hepatic encephalopathy, congestive heart failure. The patients were interviewed in the medical unit, and instructed about the importance of educational sessions, they were divided into groups, compromising 5 to 7 patients. Matching was done for subjects within each group in relation to age, duration of the disease and educational level, and one close patient's relative attended in the educational sessions. Cirrhotic therapeutic nursing modalities sessions were carried out for the patients in groups in four sessions of one hour twice weekly during two weeks. Cognition about the-disease was assessed and quality of life was evaluated through knowledge assessment sheet and health promotion lifestyle profile before and after the educational sessions. A booklet was prepared in Arabic for each patient containing the main guidelines of the program. Results revealed that more than half of the study subjects were females > 40 years, and most [93.3%] of them were married, non-educated and living in rural areas. Findings revealed also deterioration in knowledge assessment scores and in all quality of life dimensions; self actualization, social, psychological, physical, nutrition, health responsibility of patient with cirrhosis before program in both sexes without any statistical differences. There were significant positive correlations between total knowledge and quality of life dimensions among the study groups treated by different nursing modalities after one and 3 month post educational program. As well, there were significantly better score of all items of nutrition for cirrhotic patients at immediate post program, and at 3 month post program than pre program and better scores of all items of selfcare for cirrhotic patients in post program. It is recommended that assessment of cirrhotic patients health related quality of life [HRQL] should be an essential part of nursing practice and an annual community survey must be done for screening of people who have virus C. Further research should be done to determine effect of application of an educational program about liver cirrhosis upon their Quality of life