Experiences of stigma among hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan.

Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of stigma in a sample of hepatitis B- and C-positive patients in Pakistan. In a cross-sectional study, 140 inpatients and outpatients from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi answered a semi-structured questionnaire about stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health-care providers, and about work/financial problems. The majority of patients (75%) said they had had to change their lifestyle, and significantly more were males than females. Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 66% of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others; 19% said that family members avoided sharing towels, soap and eating and drinking utensils. Marital relationships were affected for 51% of married patients who had told their spouse. Patients' comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment and isolation.

Experiences of stigma among hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of stigma in a sample of hepatitis B- and C-positive patients in Pakistan. In a cross-sectional study, 140 inpatients and outpatients from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi answered a semi-structured questionnaire about stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health-care providers, and about work/financial problems. The majority of patients [75%] said they had had to change their lifestyle, and significantly more were males than females.Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 66% of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others; 19% said that family members avoided sharing towels, soap and eating and drinking utensils. Marital relationships were affected for 51% of married patients who had told their spouse. Patients' comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment and isolation

L'hépatite B et C sont des maladies chroniques qui ont des répercussions mentales et sociales susceptibles d'entraîner une mauvaise qualité de vie. L'objectif de la présente étude était des dégager les expériences de stigmatisation au sein d'un échantillon de patients positifs pour l'hépatite B et C au Pakistan. Dans une étude transversale, 140 patients hospitalisés ou consultant dans les services de soins externes de trois hôpitaux de soins tertiaires à Islamabad et Rawalpindi ont répondu à un questionnaire semi-structuré portant sur la stigmatisation infligée par les parents,les amis, le conjoint et les prestataires de soins de santé,et sur les problèmes professionnels/financiers. La majorité des patients [75 %] ont déclaré qu'ils avaient dû changer de mode de vie et la proportion d'hommes était supérieure à celle des femmes. La stigmatisation était marquée pour la transmission de la maladie, avec 66 % des patients craignant de transmettre l'infection à d'autres personnes ; 19 % ont indiqué que les membres de leur famille évitaient de partager les serviettes de toilette,le savon, la vaisselle et les couverts. Les relations conjugales étaient affectées chez 51 % des patients mariés qui avaient informé leur conjoint. Les commentaires des patients font état d'une certaine discrimination familiale et sociale à l'origine de sentiments de désarroi et d'isolement