Journal of Community Health
Volume 36, Issue 1, 2011, Pages 27-34

Chumnguh Thleum: Understanding liver illness and hepatitis B among Cambodian immigrants (Article) (Open Access)

Burke N.J. , Do H.H. , Talbot J. , Sos C. , Svy D. , Taylor V.M.
  • a [Affiliation not available]
  • b Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
  • c Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
  • d Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States
  • e Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
  • f Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, United States

Abstract

Cambodian immigrants are over 25 times more likely to have evidence of chronic hepatitis B infection than the general US population. Carriers of HBV are over 100 times more likely to develop liver cancer than non-carriers. Liver cancer incidence is the second leading cancer for Cambodian men and the sixth for Cambodian women. Despite this, this underserved population has received very little attention from health disparities researchers. Culturally and linguistically appropriate interventions are necessary to increase hepatitis B knowledge, serologic testing, and vaccination among Cambodian Americans. Eight group interviews were held with Cambodian American men (48) and women (49). Focus group discussion revealed unanticipated information about sociocultural influences on participants' understanding about hepatitis B transmission, disease course, and prevention and treatment informed by humoral theories underlying Khmer medicine, by biomedicine, and by migration experiences. Our findings reveal the value of qualitative exploration to providing cultural context to biomedical information-a formula for effective health promotion and practice. © 2010 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

qualitative research Cambodian immigrants Hepatitis B

Index Keywords

information processing liver tumor Liver Neoplasms controlled clinical trial health promotion mass screening psychological aspect clinical trial Cambodia methodology health disparity Health Status Disparities human middle aged statistics controlled study randomized controlled trial Aged Cultural Competency ethnology cultural competence qualitative research United States Young Adult Humans virology male Emigrants and Immigrants female Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice Article adult migration Utilization Review participatory research Community-Based Participatory Research vaccination hepatitis B attitude to health Focus Groups
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-78751646440&doi=10.1007%2fs10900-010-9277-y&partnerID=40&md5=bb9adcf445114ec81fc10473c396d16e
DOI: 10.1007/s10900-010-9277-y
ISSN: 00945145
Cited by: 15
Original Language: English