New research by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is aiming to understand barriers that people living with hepatitis B and C may face when accessing healthcare.

It is asking healthcare workers to spend 10-15 minutes participating in an anonymous survey about knowledge and attitudes towards individuals living with viral hepatitis.

Responses cannot be traced back to the respondent, but may be used in reports, publications and presentations, the UKHSA said.

Hepatitis B affects liver function and can be transmitted through sexual activity, contaminated needles and infected blood transfusions.

Many community pharmacies offer vaccinations for hepatitis B on a private basis, often as part of a travel health clinic.

And babies and those at risk may be offered the vaccine through their GP surgery.

Hepatitis C is usually spread by blood-to-blood contact, according to the NHS.

The UKHSA recently noted 'continued progress in eliminating viral hepatitis C'.

Last year, Dr Graham Stretch, president of the Primary Care Pharmacy Association (PCPA), told The Pharmacist that pharmacists working in all settings could consider hepatitis when a patient presents with hepatic symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, tiredness, jaundice, abnormal liver function, memory and concentration issues and itchy skin.

He suggested that patients may well mention these symptoms off-hand as part of a medicine review or in community pharmacy, which is often ‘people's first port of call’.

Testing for the illness should particularly be considered for at-risk groups such as intravenous drug users or sex workers, he said.