Experiences of Hope after Treatment of Hepatitis C Infection—A Qualitative Study

Knut Tore Sælør (), Siv-Elin Leirvaag Carlsen, Lars Thore Fadnes and Lennart Lorås
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Knut Tore Sælør: Department of Health, Social and Welfare Studies, Center for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3007 Drammen, Norway
Siv-Elin Leirvaag Carlsen: Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
Lars Thore Fadnes: Bergen Addiction Research, Department of Addiction Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, 5021 Bergen, Norway
Lennart Lorås: Department of Welfare and Participation, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, 5063 Bergen, Norway

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of hope people had after undergoing treatment for a hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Between October 2019 and May 2020, 19 one-on-one interviews were conducted with people who inject drugs and had undergone HCV treatment. All participants had completed treatment and were documented as being virus-free. Data were audio recorded and then transcribed verbatim and analysed; a method inspired by reflexive thematic analysis. Those interviewed conveyed rich and nuanced descriptions of experiences of a life with HCV. Through the course of the analysis we developed four themes. The themes were formulated as metaphors aimed at capturing commonalities about how the participants seemed to “turn their gaze” after receiving HCV treatment: (1) turning their gaze backward; (2) turning their gaze inwards; (3) turning their gaze toward others and (4) turning their gaze forward. Participants’ descriptions of their experiences relating to HCV were somewhat gloomy, and HCV treatment seemed to inspire hope and a brighter outlook on several areas of life.

Keywords: hepatitis C; HCV treatment; hope; substance abuse; recovery (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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