Enhanced management of patients and contact tracing for hepatitis B
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Enhanced management and contact tracing among antenatally screened HBV-infected women and chronically infected individuals to improve testing uptake, vaccination and onward referral of close contacts. EMPACT-B Study.
IRAS ID
161626
Contact name
Mary Ramsay
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Identifying and managing infectious individuals is critical for the public health response to controlling HBV in the UK. However, despite well disseminated guidelines, contact tracing practice is highly variable. Therefore developing a sustainable model to improve engagement from a wide range of ethnic groups is likely to be beneficial in terms of economic savings to the NHS and public health improvement of disease management.
This study provides an opportunity to engage a wider group of individuals who are at increased risk of HBV infection in testing, vaccination or clinical care. Using an enhanced management and contact tracing programme, including self-administered oral fluid testing and questionnaires, we will explore structural barriers and enablers to engaging in clinical care. In addition, as part of a retrospective study to gain baseline information, questionnaires will be used to explore knowledge gaps and understanding of hepatitis B among general practitioners.
In the UK, a Public Health England Centre (PHEC) is the part of the Public Health System that provides, among other activities, local health protection services. Three PHECs will be included in the study: Anglia and Essex; Great Manchester; and South Midlands and Hertfordshire. The areas covered by the 3 centres have a low antenatal HBV prevalence when compared to London, but high compared to other regions, along with a high mix of ethnic groups from countries with high/intermediate HBV prevalence.
The primary outcome will be an increase in the number of household contacts tested, vaccinated and referred for care, as appropriate.
REC name
London - Surrey Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/1201
Date of REC Opinion
6 Aug 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion