{"id":59738,"date":"2023-07-28T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-28T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/?p=59738"},"modified":"2024-07-22T11:13:30","modified_gmt":"2024-07-22T15:13:30","slug":"self-testing-can-advance-hepatitis-elimination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.psi.org\/pt\/2023\/07\/self-testing-can-advance-hepatitis-elimination\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Testing can Advance Hepatitis Elimination"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Dr. Karin Hatzold, Associate Director, HIV and Tuberculosis and Project Director, STAR, PSI<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four in five people do not know their Hepatitis C status.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

That\u2019s especially concerning as there is treatment available, direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), to cure Hepatitis C within three to six months of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We must close the testing gaps. This World Hepatitis Day let\u2019s chat how self-testing can get us there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Current Landscape<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Hepatitis B and C are viral infections that primarily affect the liver, causing chronic inflammation and potentially leading to severe complications such as liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, cancer of the liver, which leads to severe disease and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that approximately 325 million people worldwide are living with Hepatitis B or C, with most cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. These infections are responsible for over one million deaths annually, surpassing the mortality rates of HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria combined.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recognizing the urgency of addressing these infections, the global health community has set ambitious elimination goals for Hepatitis B and C. The WHO\u2019s goal is to reduce new infections by 90 percent and mortality by 65 percent by 2030. To achieve these targets, several strategies have been outlined, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. However, despite advances in treatment options, the key challenge lies in identifying individuals who are infected but unaware of their status, thus widening the testing gap.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Testing Gap<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

Among the reasons people living with Hepatitis B or C remain undiagnosed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • There are limited access to healthcare services, lack of awareness, and social stigma associated with the diseases.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Traditional testing methods performed in healthcare facilities, are often expensive, time-consuming, and require skilled healthcare professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Many individuals living with Hepatitis C are marginalized population groups, such as people who inject drugs, who have much less access to health and diagnostic services. For example, in South Africa, more than 50 percent of people who inject drugs are living with Hepatitis C, very few have been tested and even fewer are accessing treatment<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    These heath consumers need choices that put the power of health into their hands. Enter: self-testing, approved by the WHO and effective in supporting people to test.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Self-Testing is a Game Changer<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    In July 2021, WHO published its first guidelines on Hepatitis C virus elf-testing (HCVST) strongly recommending that self-testing should be offered as an additional approach to traditional testing services. Since then, evidence of HCVST\u2019s effectiveness has been emerging with pilot studies in several countries, including Georgia, Pakistan, and Malaysia and through the Unitaid funded STAR Initiative in Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, India, and Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The introduction of self-testing for Hepatitis C could be a game-changer in the fight against these infections. Self-tests, which are designed to be easy to use and provide quick results, allow individuals to take charge of their health and facilitate early diagnosis. These tests typically involve a simple finger-prick or oral swab and can be performed in privacy outside of health care facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Among the benefits self-testing offers for Hepatitis C elimination:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    • It can bridge the gap in testing by reaching populations who may otherwise be underserved by traditional healthcare systems. This includes marginalized communities, and individuals who may face barriers to accessing testing services, such as migrants and people who inject drugs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Can be distributed through peer-to-peer promotion allowing marginalised difficult to reach population to get access through their peers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Promotes awareness and reduces stigma. By offering a discreet and convenient method of testing, it encourages individuals who may be hesitant to seek testing in a clinical setting due to fear of judgment or discrimination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Allows individuals to take immediate action, such as seeking medical advice and connecting with care providers, leading to timely treatment and prevention efforts, such as harm reduction services through needle exchange and opiate substitution therapy for people who inject drugs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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