A Qualitative Study on Marital Challenges of Chronic Hepatitis B Patients

Background: Hepatitis B is a life-threatening viral infection that is mainly transmitted through blood; due to the presence of this virus in semen, vaginal fluids, and saliva, the possibility of transmission among couples during marital life still exists. Objectives: This study was conducted to specify the patients' perception of their marital problems. Methods: In this descriptive qualitative research conducted in Iran, 32 patients with chronic hepatitis B were selected through purposive sampling. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews and field notes during 23 months in 2015 and 2016. The interview transcripts were coded by using MAXQDA10 software (R). The utilization of thematic analysis approach was to extract categories and themes. Results: Participants of this study were in the chronic and inactive phase of hepatitis B. Participants' age varied from 24 to 57 years. Three major themes were extracted: premarriage challenges, conjugal life with suffering, and lack of marital adjustment. Conclusions: Like other chronic diseases, chronic hepatitis B causes numerous marital challenges for the carriers of the disease. The partners of patients with hepatitis B can be used as self-care facilitating agents in the family to promote self-care of these patients and help better manage their marital challenges.