Experiences of stigma among hepatitis B and C patients in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan

Hepatitis B and C are chronic diseases with mental and social impacts which can result in poor quality of life.The aim of this study was to determine the experiences of stigma in a sample of hepatitis B-and C-positive patients in Pakistan.In a cross-sectional study, 140 inpatients and outpatients from 3 tertiary-care hospitals in Islamabad and Rawalpindi answered a semi-structured questionnaire about stigma experienced from relatives, friends, spouse and health-care providers, and about work/financial problems.The majority of patients (75%) said they had had to change their lifestyle, and significantly more were males than females.Stigma was marked in terms of disease transmission, with 66% of patients fearing that they could transmit the infection to others; 19% said that family members avoided sharing towels, soap and eating and drinking utensils.Marital relationships were affected for 51% of married patients who had told their spouse.Patients' comments showed a sense of family and societal discrimination resulting in feelings of disappointment and isolation.