Educational Intervention to Promote Testing for Viral Hepatitis in SA
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A novel Educational Intervention to Improve the Uptake of Testing for Viral Hepatitis in South Asians (SA): A feasibility Study
IRAS ID
224711
Contact name
Aftab Ala
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Surrey County Hospital Dept Research Development and Innovations
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are infections of the liver and if not diagnosed and treated result in life threatening liver scarring (cirrhosis), liver cancer and end stage liver disease (ESLD). Previously, HBV & HCV have been difficult to treat successfully. Advances in the available and emerging therapies mean HCV infection is potentially curable and HBV treatable. HBV & HCV rates are rising disproportionately in the UK, with ethnic minorities having more HCV related ESLD. Our experience shows a that large number of first generation South Asian (SA) patients present to our Liver Unit with advanced, untreated liver disease. This group typically have not engaged with health services.
Through pilot work we realised a lack of engagement by the SA population is due to cultural, language and educational barriers to disease awareness, testing and treatment. As set out by NICE, to prevent further death and disease spread we need to find new ways of informing this ‘hard to reach’ group.
In an earlier phase of our work we ran focus groups with the South Asian community to understand current knowledge, concerns and expectations amongst this population and then inform the production of an educational video.
In this current phase of the work we plan to show this video in community settings as a feasibility for a randomized control trial to test whether it is successful in improving uptake of testing for viral hepatitis and to identify methodological issues, recruitment and retention figures.
Those who consent will complete pre-video questionnaires,watch the video and complete post video questionnaires. There will also be the option of dried blood spot testing for hepatitis on the day (or at a later date for those who wish more time to consider). Not all who watch the video are expected to undergo testing.REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0881
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion