Experiences and perceptions of patients living with hepatitis C in Karachi, Pakistan.

Purpose: Hepatitis C (HCV) is a chronic disease that affects an individual’s physical, financial, social, and emotional well-being throughout the illness. Although extensive literature is available on experiences of patients with hepatitis C in developed countries, very little exists in developing countries, particularly in Pakistan. This article describes experiences of patients living with HCV in Karachi, Pakistan. Method: Using descriptive exploratory design, data were collected through semistructured interviews from 10 patients with HCV. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. Findings: The three categories—perceptions and misperceptions, challenges and sufferings, support and shortcomings—were subsumed under the theme “deadly, dangerous, and devastating.” Conclusion and implications for practice: Patients with HCV experience profound challenges that are influenced by their level of education, financial capacity, cultural norms, family support, and the sensitivity of health care pr...