People in South Asian communities in the UK can now access free and discreet at-home hepatitis C test kits from the NHS. Those who are unsure about whether they should order a test can take a short survey on the Hep C, Ki? campaign website (www.befreeofhepc.co.uk/hepc-ki) to find out more.
Hepatitis C is a virus that can damage the liver and lead to life-threatening conditions. The prevalence of hepatitis C is higher in British South Asian communities (2.3%) than in the wider UK population (0.5%) because it is endemic in countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan.
The new at-home test kits have been created to help overcome stigma in South Asian communities, which can hold people back from getting tested if they are at risk. Once ordered, a finger prick and a few drops of blood are all that are needed for the self-sample, which is then sent for testing. If necessary, treatment will be offered by the NHS.
To make it even easier to get tested and treated, the Hep C, Ki? campaign (which is backed by the NHS and the Hepatitis C Trust) has created a short survey on the Hep C, Ki? website to help people identify themselves or family members who might be at risk. You can check it out on www.befreeofhepc.co.uk/hepc-ki.
The Hep C, Ki? campaign also has a series of new videos to help raise awareness about the initiative. Scripted by British Bangladeshi comedian Ali Official, the WhatsApp-style videos use humor within multi-generational family group chats to tackle the barriers and stigma when it comes to getting tested and treated for hepatitis C. You can also visit https://befreeofhepc.co.uk/hepc-ki/ for more information about the campaign.
