ERIC Number: EJ1019993
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Dec
Pages: 11
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1090-1981
EISSN: N/A
The Hepatitis C Self-Management Program: Sustainability of Primary Outcomes at 1 Year
Groessl, Erik J.; Ho, Samuel B.; Asch, Steven M.; Stepnowsky, Carl J.; Laurent, Diana; Gifford, Allen L.
Health Education & Behavior, v40 n6 p730-740 Dec 2013
Objective: Chronic hepatitis C infection afflicts millions of people worldwide. Although antiviral treatments are increasingly effective, many hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients avoid treatment, do not complete or respond to treatment, or have contraindications. Self-management interventions are one option for promoting behavioral changes leading to liver wellness and improved quality of life. Our objective was to evaluate whether the effects of the HCV self-management program were sustained at the 12-month follow-up assessment. Methods: Veteran Affairs patients with hepatitis C ("N" = 134; mean age = 54.6 years, 95% male, 41% ethnic minority, 48% homeless in last 5 years) were randomized to either a 6-week self-management workshop or an information-only intervention. The weekly 2-hour self-management sessions were based on a cognitive-behavioral program with hepatitis C-specific modules. Outcomes including hepatitis C knowledge, depression, energy, and health-related quality of life were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months later. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: Compared with the information-only group, participants attending the self-management workshop improved more on HCV knowledge ("p" < 0.005), SF-36 energy/vitality ("p" = 0.016), and the Quality of Well-Being Scale ("p" = 0.036). Similar trends were found for SF-36 physical functioning and Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale. Conclusion: Better outcomes were sustained among self-management participants at the 12-month assessment despite the intervention only lasting 6 weeks. HCV health care providers should consider adding self-management interventions for patients with chronic HCV.
Descriptors: Communicable Diseases, Self Management, Sustainability, Health Behavior, Program Effectiveness, Veterans, Workshops, Intervention, Comparative Analysis, Cognitive Restructuring, Behavior Modification, Well Being, Drug Therapy
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Assessments and Surveys: Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A