A Multistage Group Education for Hepatitis B

Abstract Introduction. Hepatitis B is the most common cause of end stage liver disease in Iran. As a high-cost disease with a relatively high incidence, and the relative lack of community knowledge, it warrants initiation of a public health intervention in Iran. Methods. This was a Before-After educational intervention that analyzed the data obtained from questionnaires filled out by 80 patients infected by Hepatitis B and their family members. The patients were registered and invited by “Hamedan Society for Support of Hepatic Patients” for the educational program. The questionnaire was designed in order to evaluate the degree of knowledge according to patients’ needs and experts’ ideas i.e. means of transmission, preventive measures and their use and some basic practical knowledge of hepatitis B management. Nedelsky method and T-paired test were used to analyze the results. Results. The participants were aged between 11 and 59 (The age of the participants was from 11 to 59) and about half of them were females. The comparison between pre-test and post-test indicated a significant increase in the learners' level of knowledge concerning transmission of and prevention from hepatitis B and its management. 45% of the participants got an acceptable score in pre-test while in post-test it increased to 69% of them. 90% of the participants believed that the performed education had been effective in increasing their knowledge about hepatitis. 81% found the question-answer session effective in solving their problems. Moreover, 92.5% described the instructor's teaching method good or very good. Finally, 36% believed that they still had some questions about hepatitis B. Interestingly, both before and after education, about 90% thought they needed more education regarding hepatitis B. Conclusion. Group education is a useful tool for improving patients’ and their families’ knowledge of and attitude towards hepatitis B in an example of Iranian community situation.