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Learning Objective:
By the end of this presentation, participants will be able to:
1. Learn new ways of reaching target populations utilizing creative multimedia technology
2. Identify the educational needs of hepatitis B patients and providers
Background:
Hepatitis B affects over 12 million Americans, with over 1.25 million chronic infections. Chronic infection can lead to liver failure, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. Primary prevention efforts have focused mainly on infants and children. More needs to be done to educate/vaccinate/screen high risk adults and educate health care and social service providers.
Setting:
Internet, conferences, educational forums
Population e.g. API Youth, MSM, IDU:
Health care/social service providers, patients with chronic hepatitis B, individuals at high risk for hepatitis B infection
Project Description:
Focus groups and surveys assessed target group needs. The internet became a major outlet for education via Expert Speakers Forums (ESF), interactive tutorials, and a targeted e-newsletter. Feedback indicated that these were unique programs, offering hard-to-find information in an enjoyable format. “Train the trainer” forums educated social service providers, who had a strong stated need for viral hepatitis information. Unique round-table forums gave patients and providers an arena to voice their concerns during National Hepatitis B Awareness Week. The annual B Informed patient conference gave chronic hepatitis B patients and their families an exceptional chance to learn about the latest hepatitis B treatments and share with others without disease stigma.
Results/Lessons Learned:
Online programs were successful in reaching targeted audiences. E-newsletter has over 3000 subscribers (60% patients/family members, 34% providers). ESFs and interactive tutorials are among the top 20 pages viewed. Offering continuing education credits for providers should increase future usage. Patient forums were successful in educating community members and the media. B Informed patient conference has become invaluable to patients, who gain information and, social support. Hepatitis B awareness campaigns benefit from having both in-person and multimedia/online components, to increase reach to target populations.
Web Page: www.hepb.org
See more of Poster Session #1
See more of The 2005 National Viral Hepatitis Prevention Conference