Hepatitis B knowledge among Vietnamese immigrants: implications for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
J Cancer Educ
; 15(1): 51-5, 2000.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-10730805
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Vietnamese have higher liver cancer rates than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States. Approximately 80% of liver cancers are etiologically associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is endemic in Southeast Asia.METHODS:
A telephone survey of randomly selected Vietnamese households (n = 75) was conducted during 1998 to examine HBV knowledge among Seattle's Vietnamese community. The questionnaire included items related to the transmission of HBV, the possible sequelae of infection, and disease prevention.RESULTS:
The response rate was 70% among reachable and eligible households. Prior to being provided with a description of the disease, two thirds of our respondents had heard of HBV infection. Less than 60% knew that asymptomatic individuals can transmit the disease to others. Most thought that HBV infection can cause liver cancer (63%) and death (80%). However, only a minority knew that infection can be lifelong (38%) and incurable (22%). Finally, 28% had never heard of the HBV vaccine. There were significant associations between knowledge and educational level as well as home ownership.CONCLUSIONS:
The findings suggest that Vietnamese immigrants have low levels of knowledge about HBV infection, and indicate a need for targeted educational interventions aimed at reducing HBV-related liver cancer mortality.
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Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Attitude to Health
/
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular
/
Disease Transmission, Infectious
/
Emigration and Immigration
/
Hepatitis B
/
Liver Neoplasms
Type of study:
Etiology_studies
/
Incidence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
/
Screening_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
/
Asia
Language:
En
Journal:
J Cancer Educ
Journal subject:
EDUCACAO
/
NEOPLASIAS
Year:
2000
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
United States