Hepatitis Delta Global Landscape Survey
Tackling Data Gaps To Increase Awareness And Prioritisation
Globally, it is estimated that 12 million people are living with hepatitis delta. People living with both hepatitis B and delta are at increased risk of liver cancer and a more rapid progression towards hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver related death.
Despite this, data on hepatitis delta is poor, awareness is extremely low and access to screening and treatment is out of reach for most.
The global hepatitis delta survey aims to get to the heart of this problem by providing data that addresses the gaps in our knowledge.
The survey gathered respondents’ views on three primary research questions:
- What is the level of awareness among key stakeholders (especially healthcare professionals (HCPs), policymakers, and community-based organisations) regarding hepatitis delta?
- What is the status of hepatitis delta testing and treatment availability and accessibility?
- What do key stakeholders identify as barriers to hepatitis delta testing and treatment access?
The key findings from this important community-based research are:
- There are significant gaps in knowledge and awareness of hepatitis delta among community-based organisations, policymakers and HCPs.
- HCPs reported low levels of training around hepatitis delta, and most expressed a clear interest in further education on the topic.
- Regionally there are disparities in levels of knowledge, and large variations in availability and accessibility of hepatitis delta testing and treatment.
- Lack of knowledge is reported as the most significant barrier to both testing and treatment.
- A third of respondents did not feel sufficiently informed to identify barriers to hepatitis delta testing and treatment, further reinforcing the impact that a lack of knowledge is having to scaling up responses.
- Even where hepatitis delta testing and treatment are reported to be available, accessibility remains a significant challenge.
- Both direct and indirect costs are reported as significant barriers to equitable access to hepatitis delta treatment and care.
Calls to action:
To help address the findings of the survey WHA is calling for:
- Increase both availability and accessibility of testing and treatment for hepatitis delta in health systems.
- Address the issues of direct and indirect costs of testing and treatment to increase engagement by communities.
- Adopt testing policies to follow WHO recommendations on reflex testing for hepatitis delta.
- Inform people living with hepatitis B of the need to test for hepatitis delta through culturally competent awareness campaigns.
- Provide more robust training on hepatitis delta to healthcare professionals throughout their career progression.
- Increase provision of knowledge and awareness programmes for community-based organisations and policymakers.
- Implement skills-building programmes for community-based organisations so they can better advocate to policymakers and public health officials for greater access to testing, treatment and care.
Download the full survey report below
The Hepatitis Delta Global Landscape Survey Report
The Hepatitis Delta Global Landscape Survey Report: Key Findings Infographic
The Hepatitis Delta Global Landscape Survey Report PowerPoint
Webinar
On Monday 5 May we launched the results of our Hepatitis Delta Global Landscape Survey, developed to better understand gaps in knowledge and barriers to accessing hepatitis delta testing and treatment worldwide.
The multi-stakeholder panel reflected on the survey’s findings from their unique perspectives and draw on their expertise to provide further country and regional insights.
E-learning
Find out more about Hepatitis D and test your existing knowledge with our CIP e-learning module!
Financial support for this project provided by Vir Biotechnology Inc