Hepatitis B and C Within the Chinese Community in Milan

The goal of this observational study is to assess the effectiveness of targeted screening for Hepatitis B (HBV) and Hepatitis C (HCV) infections in adults aged 18 to 50 from the Chinese community residing in Milan.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

* Does community-based, culturally sensitive screening increase the detection of undiagnosed HBV and HCV infections in this high-risk population? * What is the level of adherence, satisfaction and awareness regarding rapid testing methods in this community?

Participants will:

* Receive pre-test counseling in Italian or Chinese with the help of an interpreter * Complete a brief, anonymous questionnaire on demographics, risk factors and awareness of HBV/HCV * Undergo capillary rapid testing for HBV and/or HCV * Receive test results during the same visit * Complete a short post-test satisfaction questionnaire

The study will be conducted in public spaces within Milan's Chinatown, during monthly sessions, until 1,000 participants are enrolled. Each session will last approximately 30-60 minutes per participant.

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Key information

Conditions

HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) Blood-Borne Infections Communicable Diseases DNA Virus Infections Digestive System Diseases Flaviviridae Infections HCV Infection Hepadnaviridae Infections Hepatitis Hepatitis B Hepatitis C Hepatitis, Viral, Human Infections Liver Diseases RNA Virus Infections Virus Diseases

Age range

18 year–50 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Adults aged 18 to 50 years
Self-identified as part of the Chinese community residing in Milan
Willing and able to provide informed consent
Willing to undergo HBV and/or HCV rapid screening (capillary blood test)
Able to complete an anonymous questionnaire on demographics, risk factors and awareness of HBV and HCV infections
Able to communicate in Italian or Chinese (with interpreter assistance, if needed)

Exclusion criteria

Age under 18 or over 50 years
Not from the Chinese community or not residing in Milan
Unable to provide informed consent
Currently undergoing treatment for HBV or HCV, or with previously confirmed diagnosis of HBV or HCV
Severe mental or physical illness impairing participation or understanding of consent
Unable to respond to the questionnaire, even with interpreter assistance
Pregnant women

Treatment and study plan

Primary outcomes

Detection rate of HBV and/or HCV infections

Time frame: Day 1 (during the screening session)

Proportion of participants from the Chinese community residing in Milan who test positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and/or anti-HCV antibodies using capillary rapid tests during the screening session

Secondary outcomes

Adherence to rapid HBV/HCV testing

Time frame: Day 1

Proportion of participants who complete the full screening process, including pre-test counseling, informed consent, questionnaire and rapid testing
Acceptability of rapid testing methods

Time frame: Day 1

Participant satisfaction and perceived acceptability of the capillary rapid testing process, measured through a standardized post-test questionnaire
Demographic profile and risk factors of screened individuals

Time frame: Day 1

Distribution of age, sex and self-reported risk factors among participants who undergo screening
Awareness of HBV and HCV infections

Time frame: Day 1

Proportion of participants who report prior awareness or knowledge of HBV and/or HCV infections in the pre-test questionnaire

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Prevalence of Hepatitis B and C Within the Chinese Community Residing in Milan

Important dates

Study start: 2025
Primary completion: 2026
Study completion: 2026
First posted: Nov 21, 2025
Registry last updated: Nov 21, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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Completed