This is a prospective, multi-centre study designed to evaluate the usability of the Panbio™ HCV Self Test, when performed by untrained lay users in an observed study setting. The Panbio™ HCV Self Test detects antibodies to Hepatitis C Virus (HCV). The study validation will be conducted in accordance with the World Health Organisation's technical guidance on Hepatitis C rapid diagnostic tests for professional use and/or self-testing (TSS-16).
Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The virus can cause both acute and chronic disease, ranging in severity from a mild illness lasting a few weeks to a serious, lifelong illness. Globally, Hepatitis C virus infects around 71 million people per year, resulting in 700,000 deaths. The WHO estimates that only 21% of individuals chronically infected with HCV are diagnosed, and the WHO HCV targets include increasing the diagnoses to 90% by 2030. WHO guidelines, published in 2021, strongly recommend offering self-testing for HCV as an additional approach to HCV testing services.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
DIAGNOSTIC
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
1,185
Rapid diagnostic test (self-test and professional) plus laboratory reference tests
Lay user / professional user test result concordance
To assess the concordance between the Panbio™ HCV Self Test, as performed by lay users based on self-collected finger-stick samples, and the Panbio™ HCV Self Test performed by a trained health care worker, who also will collect the finger-stick sample required for the test and perform the test.
Time frame: 5 months
Lay user / laboratory test result concordance
To establish clinical performance (concordance with the reference test) for the Panbio™ HCV Self Test, as performed by lay users using finger-stick whole blood samples, when compared to reference testing using venous plasma samples.
Time frame: 5 months
Usability evaluation - lay user experience
To assess the usability of the Panbio™ HCV Self Test, as performed by lay users, based on a participant questionnaire evaluation by the lay user participant. The participant questionnaire includes questions to assess the lay users\' experience when performing the test. Most questions have a Yes / No answer option, with free text possible. Some questions require a free text answer.
Time frame: 5 months
Usability evaluation - Self-test observer records
To assess the usability of the Panbio™ HCV Self Test, as performed by lay users based on a questionnaire evaluation by the study staff observer. In the observer questionnaire, particular attention will be paid to compliance regarding factors considered critical for the test, such as reading the IFU/ QRG and applying the correct test volume. The observer questionnaire is not reporting scores on a scale, but is recording observations regarding how the users complete each step. For each step, a question is asked whether the user conducted a certain procedure, and a Yes / No answer is requested, with Monitor Notes when applicable.
Time frame: 5 months
Lay user / professional user results interpretation concordance
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To assess the concordance between the self-test results (obtained by the self-tester) when interpreted by the lay user and by the observer.
Time frame: 5 months