Encouraging South Asians to consider hepatitis testing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Novel Educational Intervention to Improve the Awareness of Viral Hepatitis in the South Asian Community
IRAS ID
195901
Contact name
Aftab Ala
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Surrey County Hospital Dept of Research, Innovations and Development
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Hepatitis B (HBV) and C viruses (HCV) are infections of the liver and if not diagnosed and treated result in life threating 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 is rising disproportionately, with ethnic minorities having more HCV related ESLD. Our experience shows a that large number of first generation 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.
The aim of this project is to use culturally sensitive local knowledge to address these barriers to increase awareness of undertaking hepatitis testing and treatment. We will develop an educational intervention (film) that informs this population in a non-health setting more familiar to patients, as recommended by NICE (mosques/community health centres). The current study will use qualitative methods to develop an educational intervention. We will run focus groups and interviews with members of the SA community to encourage them to consider the risks and barriers to screening for Hepatitis B & C. We will then work with the community to develop the educational film. The aim is to then show the film to members of the SA community - and then in the next stage of the project (for which separate ethical approval will be sought) test whether the film increases uptake of hepatitis testing.REC name
East of England - Cambridge Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/EE/0138
Date of REC Opinion
14 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion