Crowdsourcing To Promote Hepatitis C Testing And Linkage-to-care In China: Randomized Controlled Trial Interim Report

Abstract

Objectives: Many people living with HCV in China are unaware of their HCV status, despite a large burden of disease and increasing treatment access. Crowdsourcing has a group of individuals solve a problem (e.g., messaging to promote HCV testing and linkage) and then implement solutions. Materials and Methods: A two-armed randomized controlled trial is being con ducted at primary care sectors of Shenzhen among local residents >30 years old not known to have HCV. The intervention group would receive crowdsourcing materials to promote HCV testing twice a week for two weeks, while the control group received standard promotional materials. Those identified HCV antibody-positive would be referred to specialists for confirmation and treatment. Results: As of 4th November 2020, 614 persons were recruited into the study (311 in the intervention group and 303 in the control). 47.1% were male; majority married (81.6%) with an average age of 43.2 years. 490 (79.8%; 249 in the intervention vs 241 in the control) had been tested and 12 (8 in the intervention and 4 in the control) were found to be positive for HCV. Significantly more were tested at HKUSZH in the intervention group (129/179 in the intervention vs 105/197 in the control; p<0.001). In those detected HCV, there were significantly more who did not think HCV was a serious problem before (p=0.048). Discussion: This interim analysis demonstrates the feasibility and acceptability of this approach. This community-based hospital approach could be used to scale up HCV testing in many settings. (Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ChiCTR19000025771)