Hepatitis C Prevention Measures in Pakistan

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is endemic in Pakistan, with 5% of the population suffering from the disease. A unique aspect about HCV in Pakistan is the major role that healthcare workers play in its transmission, by reusing needles and giving therapeutic injections when they are not needed. This issue is furthered by patients’ misconceptions that invasive treatments, like injections, are more effective than oral medicines. The purpose of this project was to create a short video that addressed this inaccurate and dangerous perception, by educating Pakistanis about HCV and how to prevent infection and reinfection. In addition to disease transmission, accessibility to treatment options in Pakistan were also discussed. The video featured Pakistani physicians and some young adults. There were several limitations that delimited the project, including time, budget, the sudden death of a project participant, and the current COVID-19 epidemic as well as cultural, language, and physical barriers that come from filming a video about Pakistan as Americans. In the future, this video can serve as a framework for future efforts.