Public encouraged to routinely test for bloodborne viruses as part of engagement project
4 March 2025
Animations created by researchers and clinicians at Systems Immunity Research Institute will normalise regular testing for bloodborne viruses, include Hepatitis and HIV.
Bloodborne viruses (BBVs) are infectious agents, the most common being hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). These viruses can be spread through activities such as unprotected sexual contact, sharing needles or exposure to contaminated blood products. They pose health risks as they can lead to chronic diseases, such as liver cirrhosis or liver cancer in the case of hepatitis B and C and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in the case of HIV if they are not diagnosed.
The BBV and Me project, a collaboration between Cardiff University and Cwm Taf Morgannwg Health Board, funded by Gilead, engaged with communities and healthcare professionals over four months, understanding more about attitudes to testing and awareness of BBVs. Two animations have been produced to be used in healthcare settings to encourage people to test routinely for common BBVs to promote good health and treatment.
Early diagnosis is important to reduce the transmission of BBV and routine testing in is essential for detection. We aim to raise awareness, break down myths, reduce stigma and encourage everyone to get tested and healthcare professionals to offer testing. Testing is quick, easy, and could help you continue to live a full and healthy life
Dr Lucy Jones said, ‘Early diagnosis is important to reduce the transmission of BBV and routine testing in is essential for detection. BBV are more common than some people think and our experience in our sexual health service led us to develop the BBV and Me project in the South Wales valleys. We observed through our practice that people who were heterosexual and non-drug users were viewed as being not at-risk blood-borne viruses. Our aim was to learn more about knowledge and ideas about bloodborne viruses in semi-rural communities in Wales, healthcare professionals experience of testing for BBV in their scope of practice and barriers that they face for BBV testing. We aim to raise awareness, break down myths, reduce stigma and encourage everyone to get tested and healthcare professionals to offer testing. Testing is quick, easy, and could help you continue to live a full and healthy life’.
Geraint Jones, HIV pharmacist at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health board said, "We held dedicated listening-exercises with people living in semi-rural areas and with healthcare professionals over the course of 4 months to discuss BBV and explore the views of people taking part. In these sessions, we were able to identify common themes and explore how they contribute towards a lack of awareness of BBV and testing.
Watch the animations
This project was a collaboration between Cardiff University and Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health board and was funded by a grant from Gilead. The team thanks members of the public and staff at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University health board and the Division of Infection and Immunity, Cardiff University for helping us raise awareness of how BBV can affect us all. Our special thanks go to celebrity Katie Owen and Dr David Samuel, Consultant gastroenterologist for their fantastic voiceovers!
