Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 7, Issue 2, 2006, Pages 313-317

Hepatitis B knowledge and practices among chinese immigrants to the United States (Article)

Taylor V.M.* , Tu S.-P. , Woodall E. , Acorda E. , Chen H. , Choe J. , Li L. , Yasui Y. , Gregory Hislop T.
  • a Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States, Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • b Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • c Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
  • d Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
  • e Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • f Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • g Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, United States
  • h Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
  • i Cancer Control Research Program, British Columbia Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada

Abstract

Introduction: Chinese immigrants to the United States experience high rates of liver cancer. Chronic carriage of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common underlying cause of liver cancer among Chinese Americans. Our objective was to describe Chinese immigrants' hepatitis B knowledge, testing, and vaccination levels. Methods: A communitybased, in-person survey of Chinese men and women was conducted in Seattle during 2005. Our study sample included 395 individuals. Results: Less than one-half (48%) of our study group indicated they had received a hepatitis B blood test, and about one-third (31%) indicated they had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The proportions of respondents who knew HBV can be spread during childbirth, during sexual intercourse, and by sharing razors were 70%, 54%, and 55%, respectively. Less than one-quarter of the study group knew that HBV cannot be spread by eating food that was prepared by an infected person (23%) and by sharing eating utensils with an infected person (16%). Discussion: Over 50% of our respondents did not recall being tested for HBV. Important knowledge deficits about routes of hepatitis B transmission were identified. Continued efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B educational campaigns for Chinese immigrant communities.

Author Keywords

Liver cancer Chinese Hepatitis B immigrants

Index Keywords

Needs Assessment psychological aspect human middle aged Health Surveys Washington United States Humans Asian Americans male Asian American female Socioeconomic Factors socioeconomics Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article disease transmission Hepatitis B Vaccines adult health education migration hepatitis B vaccine Emigration and Immigration hepatitis B attitude to health health survey
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-33748455111&partnerID=40&md5=938f40a4a51af83e643449b2977896ad
ISSN: 15137368
Cited by: 72
Original Language: English