COMBAT-ID 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
COMmunity-BAsed Testing of migrants for Infectious and Non-Infectious Disease (COMBAT-ID 1): Impact, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of identifying infectious and non-infectious diseases amongst migrants in primary care.
IRAS ID
190172
Contact name
Manish Pareek
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Leicester
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 9 months, 31 days
Research summary
Background
People born in some parts of the world are much more likely to suffer from serious infectious illnesses, for example tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV. Although early testing for these illnesses is recommended by the UK government, it is rarely done. Early testing could identify such illnesses before they have become worse or spread to others. However, we do not know if people would agree to early tests, just how effective early testing would be, and whether it would be good value for money.
Aims
As part of a new strategy in Leicester, UK, people born overseas will be offered testing for certain infectious illnesses (tuberculosis, HIV and viral hepatitis) when they register with a GP in the city. We aim to find out whether offering early tests for these infectious illnesses in this way will result in GPs actually doing more tests and identifying more people with these infectious illnesses.
Study design and methods
We will gather data on testing for, and identification of, these diseases from GP surgeries in Leicester, UK. The data will be anonymised – that is, no one can identify which people were tested. We will see if there is a change in the number of tests done for infectious illnesses and the number of new cases of infectious illnesses identified by GPs following the introduction of a new testing strategy.
Patient and public involvement
We have undertaken group discussions with people born abroad to get their views on this topic and they have been very supportive and provided important information about how to take the work forward.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/SC/0127
Date of REC Opinion
3 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion