A randomized controlled trial enhancing viral hepatitis testing in primary care via digital crowdsourced intervention

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Digital Health
• Infectious Disease Prevention

Background:

• Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) testing rates in China are low despite availability.
• Social media offers a cost-effective platform for health information dissemination.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of digitally crowdsourced social media materials in promoting HBV and HCV testing.
• To assess the impact of this intervention on hepatitis-related stigma.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial (ChiCTR1900025771) involving 750 Chinese primary care patients.
• Patients were randomized to receive social media promotion or standard care for four weeks.
• Intervention group received digitally crowdsourced HBV/HCV promotion materials via social media.

Main Results:

• Exposure to intervention materials significantly increased odds of HBV testing (aOR=1.79) and HCV testing (aOR=1.95).
• A significant reduction in hepatitis-related stigma was observed in the intervention group for both HBV (slope=-0.15) and HCV (slope=-0.13).

Conclusions:

• Digitally crowdsourced social media promotion effectively enhances hepatitis testing uptake.
• This intervention strategy shows potential for reducing hepatitis burden and associated stigma.