Dépistage des hépatites au sein d’une association culturelle et cultuelle pakistanaise : retour d’expérience

Abstract

Introduction: Pakistan is the second country in the world with a high prevalence of hepatitis C. The Musafir study, set up in 2018 to understand the representations of hepatitis and HIV within the Urdu-speaking male community with a migration background, had provided an opportunity to think about culturally acceptable health promotion interventions. These included awareness campaigns on hepatitis - without the question of HIV, which was considered too taboo - in a mosque. Purpose of research: The aim of this article is to describe the implementation of awareness and testing campaigns within a Pakistani religious and cultural association. Method: A partnership with a Pakistani association that runs a place of worship enabled awareness and testing campaigns for hepatitis and HIV to be carried out, thanks to the involvement of the association’s managers and the imam. Results: Between February and June 2023, 113 people were tested during the five campaigns that were carried out. The population screened consisted almost exclusively of Urdu-speaking men. Anti-HCV antibodies were found in six people, three of whom had already recovered, and two people were tested positive for HBV. No case of HIV was detected. Conclusions: The prevalence of hepatitis C found was 5.3%, in line with the prevalence in Pakistan. This experiment highlighted the feasibility of a partnership with a faith-based organization and offers ideas for developing this type of initiative in France.