The Process of Social Interactions in Patients With Hepatitis B Infection: A Grounded Theory Study

Abstract

1. Background ore than 2 billion people have suffered from hepatitis B globally, and current-ly, 5 %, equal to 400 million people, carry this virus all over the world (Cecil et al. 2012). The prevalence rate of the hepatitis B virus infection varies from 1.2 to 9.7 % in different parts of the world (Van Damme et al. 2010; Sievert et al. 2011). In Iran, this rate is 2.14 %, with 2.55 % in men and 2.03 % in women, and Background: The hepatitis B virus infection is a major cause of liver diseases in the world. It mostly affects psychological and social aspects as well as the mental health of patients. The aim of this study was to explain the process of social interactions in patients with Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection.