by Shilton S, Sem X, Chan HK, Chung HY, Karunanithy A, Markby J, Chan P-L, Luhmann N, Johnson C, Nabeta P, Bt Nasir NH, Ongarello S, Reipold EI, Abu Hassan MR. Trials 2022; 23, 304. doi: doi.org/10.1186/s13063-022-06230-y
Summary: As part of its 5-year strategic plan for viral hepatitis (HCV) control, the Malaysian Ministry of Health is seeking to understand how to better target HCV services at men who have sex with men. The authors describe a protocol for a study to evaluate the acceptability and impact of HCV self-testing via an online distribution model (a self-test kit mailed to participants) compared with the standard care (provision of information about the nearest testing centre). The primary outcome is the number and proportion of participants who report completion of testing. The aim is to recruit 750 participants. Outcomes of this study will provide critical evidence about testing uptake, linkage to care, acceptability, and any social harms that may emerge from HCV self-testing.
