European Journal of Public Health
Volume 28, Issue 5, 2018, Pages 916-922

Hepatitis B in Moroccan-Dutch: A qualitative study into determinants of screening participation (Article) (Open Access)

Hamdiui N.* , Stein M.L. , van der Veen Y.J.J. , Van Den Muijsenbergh M.E.T.C. , van Steenbergen J.E.
  • a Department for Health Evidence, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands, National Coordination Centre for Communicable Disease Control, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM/LCI, Postbus 1, BA Bilthoven, 3720, Netherlands
  • b National Coordination Centre for Communicable Disease Control, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM/LCI, Postbus 1, BA Bilthoven, 3720, Netherlands
  • c Christian University of Applied Sciences Ede, Ede, Netherlands
  • d Program Prevention and Care, Dutch Centre of Expertise on Health Disparities, Utrecht, Netherlands, Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
  • e Centre for Infectious Diseases, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands, National Coordination Centre for Communicable Disease Control, Centre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM/LCI, Postbus 1, BA Bilthoven, 3720, Netherlands

Abstract

Background: Chronic hepatitis B (HBV) leads to an increased risk for liver cirrhosis and liver cancer. In the Netherlands, chronic HBV prevalence in the general population is 0.20%, but 3.77% in first generation immigrants. Our aim was to identify determinants associated with the intention to participate in HBV testing among first generation Moroccan immigrants, one of the two largest immigrant groups targeted for screening. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were held with first (n = 9) and second generation (n = 10) Moroccan-Dutch immigrants, since second generation immigrants frequently act as their parents’ brokers in healthcare. Results: Most participants had little knowledge about hepatitis B, but had a positive attitude towards screening. Facilitators for screening intention were perceived susceptibility to and severity of disease, positive attitude regarding prevention, wishing to know their hepatitis B status and to prevent potential hepatitis B transmission to others. Additional cultural facilitators included fear (of developing cancer), and existing high health care utilization; a religious facilitator was the responsibility for one’s own health and that of others. Barriers included lack of awareness and knowledge, practical issues, not having symptoms, negative attitude regarding prevention, fear about the test result and low-risk perception. A cultural barrier was shame and stigma, and a religious barrier was fatalism. Conclusion: We identified important facilitators and barriers, which we found, can be interpreted differently. Specific and accurate information should be provided, accompanied by strategies to address shame and stigma, in which Islamic religious leaders could play a role in bringing information across. © The Author(s) 2018.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

Netherlands mass screening human epidemiology middle aged Ethnic Groups statistics and numerical data ethnic group ethnology qualitative research Surveys and Questionnaires Humans migrant psychology male Emigrants and Immigrants female questionnaire prevalence Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice adult hepatitis B attitude to health Epidemiologic Factors Morocco
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85059275023&doi=10.1093%2feurpub%2fcky003&partnerID=40&md5=4c8bf45293cbc35490372182b1edda08
DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cky003
ISSN: 11011262
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English