Comparison of two educational tools on hepatitis C as community strategies to improve pre-test advice among Pakistani migrants in Barcelona

Abstract

Aim: Hepatitis C is a major health concern, causing significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. Globally, it accounts for 50 million chronic infections and one million new infections each year. Migrants from highly endemic regions, such as Pakistan, are particularly affected. Despite Pakistan having one of the highest hepatitis C virus (HCV) prevalence rates, many of the migrants from this country lack sufficient knowledge about HCV and how to access screening and healthcare services. This study aimed to assess whether a newly co-created educational tool in video format increased hepatitis C knowledge within the Pakistani migrant community in Barcelona. Subject and methods: The study was designed as a community intervention trial. Two interventions were carried out in different spaces and events of the Pakistani community in Barcelona: an already validated educational tool (Heparjoc workshop) and a newly designed one (Heparjoc video session). The increase in HCV knowledge among participants was measured and compared between the two strategies. Results: The video tool led to a 31.6% increase in HCV knowledge among participants (range, 28.0–35.3%), which was comparable to the increase achieved with the previously validated tool (29.0%, p-value of the difference = 0.38). Conclusion: This community-based educational tool is effective in improving disease knowledge among vulnerable migrant populations from Pakistan and can potentially increase their engagement with the healthcare system through screening strategies. Although differences among the study population across different community settings and events were not statistically significant, they suggest possible heterogeneity within the Pakistani community. Further research could explore these differences to evaluate the most effective ways to reach the most vulnerable.