Assessment of the degree of illness acceptance in patients diagnosed with hepatitis C

Abstract

Introduction. In Poland, approximately 730,000 people are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Acceptance of a chronic illness may positively motivate patients in the process of treatment. The higher the degree of illness acceptance, the lower the feeling of psychological discomfort and a lower intensity of negative emotions. Objective. The aim of the study was assessment of illness acceptance among patients with chronic hepatitis C, and determination of the level of the relationship between social and demographic variables, and the degree of illness acceptance. Materials and method. The study included 220 patients with a diagnosis of chronic hepatitis C. The research method was a diagnostic survey, while the instruments used were the Acceptance of Illness Scale (AIS) and an author-constructed questionnaire. Results. Respondents most frequently accepted their illness to the mean degree (30 scores), and a low category or even the lack of acceptance (<20 scores) of respondents. Urban inhabitants significantly more often accepted their illness to a high degree, compared to rural inhabitants. Disability pensioners and retired pensioners significantly more frequently accepted their disease in the category – low degree. The remaining independent variables: gender, age, education, marital status, number of years of illness, had no significant effect on the degree of acceptance of hepatitis C. Conclusions. The majority of patients diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C accept their illness to the mean degree. Patients with hepatitis C should be covered with psychological assistance in order to change the way of perception and evaluation of their health situation in more positive terms.