Common concerns, barriers to care, and the lived experience of individuals with hepatitis B: a qualitative study

Abstract Background An estimated between 257 and 292 million people live with chronic HBV globally. While much is known about the causes, epidemiology of HBV, little understood quality life impact on those living infection. Methods A random sample HBV-related email queries sent to Hepatitis B Foundation, a U.S.-based non-profit organization, over 12-month period in 2018–2019 were retrieved, tabulated, analyzed qualitatively highlight information needs explore experiences their families loved ones. Codebook development was informed by literature through line-by-line reading sub-sample queries. Data analysis facilitated NVivo12 software. coded independently two members research team intercoder reliability assessed assure coding accuracy throughout phase. Results total 338 from around globe identified analyzed. The revealed three thematic groups: 1) health-specific challenges associated diagnosis treatment, 2) emotional related stigma, discrimination, fear, social isolation, distress 3) informational prevention transmission, interpretation laboratory tests. Conclusions People are need manage disease prevent its spread. Analysis uncovered significant misconceptions transmission treatment. Additionally, psychological an infection significant. There clear for patient community education expand knowledge awareness globally achieve 2030 WHO elimination goals.