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Crowdsourcing to increase hepatitis B and C testing and reduce hepatitis stigma among medical students in Bangladesh
Mohammad Ali1, Joseph D Tucker2,3, Eneyi E Kpokiri2
1National Liver Foundation of Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
Insights
Medical students in Bangladesh used crowdsourcing to create digital content reducing hepatitis stigma and promoting testing. This pilot study successfully encouraged testing and identified undiagnosed hepatitis B cases.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Communication
- Medical Education
Background:
- Low hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) testing rates persist in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
- Stigma surrounding HBV and HCV significantly hinders testing and treatment access in LMICs, particularly in Bangladesh.
- Medical students represent a key demographic for influencing healthcare attitudes and promoting public health initiatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and evaluate an innovative crowdsourcing intervention using medical students to combat hepatitis stigma.
- To design and implement a digital campaign aimed at increasing hepatitis testing awareness and uptake among medical students in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
- To assess the impact of crowdsourced content on reducing stigma and encouraging hepatitis screening.
Main Methods:
- A crowdsourcing campaign was launched, inviting medical students to submit digital content (videos, texts) in English or Bengali to address hepatitis stigma and promote testing.
- Entries were evaluated by a panel of judges based on clarity, impact, innovation, feasibility, and sustainability.
- A survey was administered to 440 medical students, followed by hepatitis screening for 360 participants.
Main Results:
- Seventeen videos and four text messages were submitted and evaluated.
- Hepatitis screening identified two previously undiagnosed HBV cases, who were referred for care; no HCV cases were detected.
- Post-intervention, 41% of students still expressed concerns regarding individuals with HBV in healthcare settings, indicating persistent stigma.
Conclusions:
- Medical students can effectively lead campaigns to reduce hepatitis stigma and promote testing through crowdsourcing.
- This digital crowdsourcing approach offers a novel strategy for addressing persistent public health challenges in LMICs like Bangladesh.
- The intervention demonstrated potential for adaptation in other regions facing similar issues with hepatitis awareness and stigma.
Abstract:
This study addresses the pervasive challenges of low hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) testing rates coupled with the stigma associated with these diseases in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with a special focus on Bangladesh. This study aims to introduce an innovative crowdsourcing intervention that involves medical students, a crucial cohort with the potential to shape healthcare attitudes. Through a structured crowdsourcing approach, the study designs and implements a digital intervention to counter stigma and promote testing among medical students in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Participants submitted brief videos or texts aiming to encourage hepatitis testing and reduce stigma. The call, advertised through meetings, emails, and social media, welcomed entries in English or Bengali over 3 weeks. A panel of six judges evaluated each entry based on clarity, impact potential, innovation, feasibility, and sustainability, awarding prizes to students behind the highest-rated submissions. Seventeen videos and four text messages received an average score of 5.5 among 440 surveyed medical students, predominantly 22 years old (16%) and in their fourth year (21%). After viewing, 360 students underwent screening, identifying two previously undiagnosed HBV cases referred for care; no HCV infections were found. Notably, 41% expressed concerns about individuals with HBV working in hospitals or having a doctor living with HBV. In conclusion, this pilot showcases the power of medical students in spearheading campaigns to counter hepatitis stigma and encourage testing. By utilizing crowdsourcing, the study introduces an innovative approach to a persistent issue in LMICs specially in Bangladesh, offering a model that could potentially be adapted by other regions grappling with similar challenges.
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