A qualitative study on marital challenges of chronic hepatitis B patients

Abstract EN

Background : Hepatitis B is a life-threatening viral infection that is mainly transmitted through blood; due to the presence of this virus in semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva, the possibility of transmission among couples during marital life still exists.

Objectives : This study was conducted to specify the patients’ perception of their marital problems.

Methods : In this descriptive qualitative research conducted in Iran, 32 patients with chronic hepatitis B were selected through purposive sampling.

The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes during 23 months in 2015 and 2016.

The interview transcripts were coded by using MAXQDA10 software®.

The utilization of thematic analysis approach was to extract categories and themes.

Results : Participants of this study were in the chronic and inactive phase of hepatitis B.

Participants’ age varied from 24 to 57 years.

Three major themes were extracted: premarriage challenges, conjugal life with suffering, and lack of marital adjustment.

Conclusions : Like other chronic diseases, chronic hepatitis B causes numerous marital challenges for the carriers of the disease.

The partners of patients with hepatitisBcan be used as self-care facilitating agents in the family to promote self-care of these patients and help better manage their marital challenges.