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Abstract Details
Improving uptake of hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing in South Asian migrants in community and faith settings using educational interventions - a prospective descriptive study
Int J Infect Dis. 2020 Aug 27;S1201-9712(20)30689-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ijid.2020.08.059.Online ahead of print.
Claire Kelly1, Marinos Pericleous1, Ayesha Ahmed2, Tushna Vandrevala3, Jane Hendy2, Shuja Shafi4, Simon Skene5, Sumita Verma6, Chantal Edge7, Margot Nicholls8, Charles Gore9, Simon de Lusignan10, Aftab Ala11
Author information
1Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, UK; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK.
2Brunel Business School, Brunel University, London, UK.
3Department of Psychology, Kingston University, London, UK.
4Research and Documentation Committee, The Muslim Council of Britain, London, UK.
5Clinical Trials Unit, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK.
6Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine Brighton and Sussex Medical School and Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospital, Brighton, UK.
7Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, UCL, London, UK.
8Public Health England South East, UK.
9The Hepatitis C Trust, UK.
10Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK; Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Royal College of General Practitioners Research and Surveillance Centre, London, UK.
11Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, The Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford, Surrey, UK; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, UK. Electronic address: aftab.ala1@nhs.net.
Abstract
Background: Chronic viral hepatitis (CVH) is a leading contributor to the UK liver disease epidemic, with global migration from high-prevalence areas (e.g. South Asia-SA). Despite international guidance for testing high-risk groups in line with elimination targets, there is no consensus on how to achieve this.
Objectives: (i) Feasibility of recruiting SA migrants to view an educational film on CVH (ii) Effectiveness of the film in promoting testing, knowledge of CVH (iii) Methodological issues relevant to scale-up to randomized trial.
Methods: We recruited SA migrants to view the film (intervention) in community venues (primary care, religious, community), offering dried-blood spot CVH testing immediately afterwards. Pre/post-film questionnaires assessed the interventions effectiveness.
Results: Two hundred and nineteen first generation migrants >18yrs (53% female) were recruited to view the film;184 (84%) underwent CVH testing (HBc Ab or HCV Ab positive, demonstrating exposure in 8.5%) at the following sites: n = 112 (51%) religious, n = 98(45%) community, and primary care, n = 9 (4%). Pre (n = 173, 79%) and post (n = 154, 70%) intervention questionnaires were completed.
Conclusions: We demonstrate the feasibility of recruiting first generation migrants to participate in a community-based educational film, promoting CVH testing in this higher-risk group, confirming value of developing interventions to facilitate global WHO plan for targeted case finding, elimination and future randomized controlled trial. We highlight the importance of culturally relevant interventions including faith, and culturally sensitive settings appearing to minimize logistical issues effective at engaging minority groups and allowing ease of access to individuals 'at risk'.