Hepatitis B and C Within the Chinese Community in Milan

N/ANot Yet RecruitingNCT07241962

IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele1,000 enrolled

Overview

The goal of this observational study is to assess the effectiveness of targeted screening for Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections in adults aged 18 to 50 from the Chinese community residing in Milan. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does community-based, culturally sensitive screening increase the detection of undiagnosed HBV and HCV infections in this high-risk population? * What is the level of adherence, satisfaction and awareness regarding rapid testing methods in this community? Participants will: * Receive pre-test counseling in Italian or Chinese with the help of an interpreter * Complete a brief, anonymous questionnaire on demographics, risk factors and awareness of HBV/HCV * Undergo capillary rapid testing for HBV and/or HCV * Receive test results during the same visit * Complete a short post-test satisfaction questionnaire The study will be conducted in public spaces within Milan's Chinatown, during monthly sessions, until 1,000 participants are enrolled. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes per participant.

Study Type

OBSERVATIONAL

Enrollment

1,000

Conditions

HBV (Hepatitis B Virus)HCV Infection

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 50 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 to 50 years * Self-identified as part of the Chinese community residing in Milan * Willing and able to provide informed consent * Willing to undergo HBV and/or HCV rapid screening (capillary blood test) * Able to complete an anonymous questionnaire on demographics, risk factors and awareness of HBV and HCV infections * Able to communicate in Italian or Chinese (with interpreter assistance, if needed) Exclusion Criteria: * Age under 18 or over 50 years * Not from the Chinese community or not residing in Milan * Unable to provide informed consent * Currently undergoing treatment for HBV or HCV, or with previously confirmed diagnosis of HBV or HCV * Severe mental or physical illness impairing participation or understanding of consent * Unable to respond to the questionnaire, even with interpreter assistance * Pregnant women

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Detection rate of HBV and/or HCV infections

Proportion of participants from the Chinese community residing in Milan who test positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or anti-HCV antibodies using capillary rapid tests during the screening session

Time frame: Day 1 (during the screening session)

Secondary Outcomes

Adherence to rapid HBV/HCV testing

Proportion of participants who complete the full screening process, including pre-test counseling, informed consent, questionnaire and rapid testing

Time frame: Day 1

Acceptability of rapid testing methods

Participant satisfaction and perceived acceptability of the capillary rapid testing process, measured through a standardized post-test questionnaire

Time frame: Day 1

Demographic profile and risk factors of screened individuals

Distribution of age, sex and self-reported risk factors among participants who undergo screening

Time frame: Day 1

Awareness of HBV and HCV infections

Proportion of participants who report prior awareness or knowledge of HBV and/or HCV infections in the pre-test questionnaire

Time frame: Day 1