%0 Journal Article
%@ 1929-0748
%I JMIR Publications
%V 13
%N 
%P e63376
%T Community Versus Facility-Based Services to Improve the Screening of Active Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Cambodia: The ANRS 12384 CAM-C Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial—Protocol for a Mixed Methods Study
%A Mosnier,Emilie
%A Ségéral,Olivier
%A Neth,Sansothy
%A Sagaon-Teyssier,Luis
%A Khuon,Dyna
%A Phoeung,Chan Leakhena
%A Mam,Sovatha
%A Chhay,Chhingsrean
%A Heang,Kimeang
%A Duclos-Vallée,Jean Charles
%A Saphonn,Vonthanak
%+ Aix Marseille Université, Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale (INSERM), Institut de recherche pour le développementIRD, Sciences Economiques & Sociales de la Santé & Traitement de l’Information Médicale (SESSTIM) Aix Marseille Univ,, Aix Marseille Institute of Public Health (ISSPAM), Faculté de Médecine 27 Bd Jean Moulin, Marseille, 13385, France, 33 491324600, emilie.mosnier@gmail.com
%K hepatitis C virus
%K HCV
%K community-based intervention
%K cluster randomized controlled trial
%K Cambodia
%K cost-effectiveness analysis
%K qualitative analysis
%D 2024
%7 20.11.2024
%9 Protocol
%J JMIR Res Protoc
%G English
%X Background: In Cambodia, hepatitis C constitutes a significant public health challenge, particularly among older adults (>45 years) for whom prevalence is estimated to be 5%. To facilitate the elimination of hepatitis C among the general population, enhancing access to screening and treatment is imperative. In this regard, the evaluation of community-based screening programs emerges as a crucial step toward improving health care accessibility. Objective: This study aims to assess the comparative efficacy of a community-based versus a facility-based approach in enhancing the uptake of hepatitis C antibody testing among the general population older than 40 years of age in Cambodia. Methods: The CAM-C (Community Versus Facility-Based Services to Improve the Screening of Active Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Cambodia) study uses a cluster-randomized controlled trial design across two Cambodian provinces to compare community-based and facility-based hepatitis testing interventions. Sampling involves a multistage cluster approach, targeting individuals older than 40 years of age due to their higher prevalence and risk of chronic hepatitis complications. This study incorporates a qualitative analysis of acceptability and a cost-effectiveness comparison. Interventions include facility-based testing with subsequent referral and community-based testing with direct in-home assessments. Follow-up for positive cases involves comprehensive management and potential direct-acting antiviral treatment. This study aims to identify a significant increase in testing uptake, requiring the screening of 6000 individuals older than 40 years of age, facilitated by a structured sampling and intervention approach to minimize contamination risks. Results: The final protocol including the quantitative, qualitative, and cost-effectiveness part of the study was registered and was approved in 2019 by the National Ethical Cambodian for Health Research. Inclusions were completed by mid-2024, with analyses starting in May 2024. Conclusions: Using a mixed methods approach that combines a robust methodology (cluster-randomized controlled trial) with a cost-effectiveness analysis and qualitative research, such a study should provide invaluable information to guide the Ministry of Health in its hepatitis C virus screening strategy and move toward elimination. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03992313; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03992313 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/63376 
%R 10.2196/63376
%U https://www.researchprotocols.org/2024/1/e63376
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/63376