Raising awareness of hepatitis in Australia's Sudanese community with Noon Juba & Akuot Tebir

Noon Juba and Akuot Tebir are graduate volunteers doing research into the awareness of viral hepatitis in Sudan and in Australia's Sudanese community. Their fascinating study probes the attitudes and perceptions and if those approaches have carried over into the growing Sudanese community in Australia. Both Noon and Akout believe breaking the barrier to diagnosis and treatment lies in raising awareness. "Many people don't know it’s a public health issue, so we need to teach why it happens, how it happens and what you can do about it," says Akout. "Many won't seek help until it affects their functioning in everyday life - they don't know it is as serious or as prevalent as it is..." adds Noon. The researchers have suggestions about how best to get the message to the Sudanese community in Australia.