World Hepatitis Day: 47% Of UAE Residents Are Not Aware Of Hepatitis B

Ahead of World Hepatitis Day (July 28), a survey reveals that almost half of UAE respondents(47%) are not aware of Hepatitis B (HBV), highlighting the need for stronger awareness about the chronic disease. The survey was conducted as part of a comprehensive research initiative on chronic disease management and patient voice integration.

HBV is a liver disease caused by hepatitis virus B that, if left untreated, could turn into a life-threatening condition. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a target to reduce new viral hepatitis infections by 90% and deaths due to viral hepatitis by 65% by 2030. An estimated 15.5 million people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) are chronically infected with HBV. The prevalence of HBV among the Emirati general population in the UAE is between 1- 1.5% only.

Whilst prevalence is relatively low, there is a lack of awareness about the disease, with the majority (84%) of respondents not knowing that it can be asymptomatic and less than a quarter (21%) knowing how it can be transmitted. 85% of the respondents are not aware of how HBV is prevented while 92% believe that the disease cannot be treated easily. Only a quarter of the respondents believe that HBV can lead to serious health complications.

“The lack of awareness around HBV means securing appropriate and prompt treatment remains a challenge. General practitioners and healthcare physicians also have limited knowledge and expertise in this field, so it is essential to seek advice from specialist centres to ensure that an optimal treatment path is secured. HBV treatment is covered by most medical insurance packages in the UAE so the required, specialist care and treatment is easily accessible to patients who need it. There are also effective tools for counseling and awareness available such as printed and online educational materials that offer authentic, simplified information about HBV, commented Dr. Mohamed Farghaly, Professor of Medicine of Dubai Medical College, Consultant and CEO Advisor of Dubai Health Insurance Corporation (DHIC).

The survey which was conducted as part of a larger study on patient voice integration also reveals that 82% of patients want more control over new treatment paths, particularly for chronic diseases. When considering treatment options for conditions that have a stigma associated with them, 75% of respondents highlight the importance of voicing their opinion. A further 80% want more control when the treatment path has an impact on their social life.

“Patients now have access to more resources to learn about health conditions and treatment options, however, the volume of information readily available online can be daunting and overwhelming for them once diagnosed. Having an open dialogue with a healthcare provider in a confidential environment will give patients a deeper understanding of their individual condition and allow them to take part in defining the treatment course that best suits their lifestyle. The recent research has highlighted that this collaborative approach is particularly important when it comes to the management and treatment of chronic conditions that have stigma associated with them, such as HBV,” commented Dr. Sameer AlAhwadi, President of Emirates Gastroenterology and Hepatology Society.

As a component of the comprehensive study to explore the topic of patient voice integration in the treatment of viral hepatitis, Gilead Sciences Middle East hosted a series of workshops and interviews with regional industry stakeholders, healthcare practitioners, patients and media. A YouGov study was also conducted to gather data on the management of chronic diseases. The results were published in a report on patient voice integration, highlighting the challenges faced by patients with HBV such as social stigma and knowledge gaps on the disease transmission. It presents actionable solutions from regional healthcare advisors on how to enhance the patient-physician relationship, community awareness and family and patient support programs, as well as the effective role of media to disseminate correct information about HBV.

“We conducted the study as an initiative to support the WHO’s strategy and the UAE MOHAP’s efforts towards the elimination of viral hepatitis. The report has been shared and discussed with multi-disciplinary country experts to highlight the gaps and possible solutions to increase HBV awareness in efforts to achieve local and global elimination targets,” concluded Ayman El Sayes, Medical Director of Gilead Middle East.