EVOLVE HBV Project: Logistical Challenges, Acceptability, and Service Development for HBV Care in South Africa. Report of a team dialogue and feedback event.

EVOLVE-HBV is a project established in 2023 at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI), in collaboration with the Francis Crick Institute, to study hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in rural KwaZulu-Natal.This report summarises a dialogue event with study team members that explored logistical challenges, participant acceptability, and challenges for longer-term HBV care pathway development.The session was led by social scientists, and attended by diverse members of the study team. Discussions indicated that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and training systems were stable and accessible. Across all groups, communication emerged as the most significant operational challenge, particularly regarding individuals who needed linkage to further clinical follow-up beyond the immediate study. Transportation barriers, participant tracing difficulties, and low levels of HBV awareness further complicated study delivery and follow-up processes.Priority recommendations for strengthening HBV research and planning implementation of clinical services include improving routine cross-team communication mechanisms, strengthening community follow-up and tracking systems, and expanding HBV education and awareness. Sustained collaboration among clinical, laboratory, data, and community engagement teams will be needed to ensure long-term continuity of care throughout the HBV pathway.More information and resources about this project can be found online: