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Abstract #158371

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John H. Choe, MD, MPH¹, Lin Li, MD, MPH², Hoai Tam Le¹, Jae Chong¹, and Vicky Taylor, MD, MPH². (1) Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, 325 Ninth Ave., Box 359780, Seattle, WA 98104, 206-667-7802, johnchoe@u.washington.edu, (2) Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

BACKGROUND: Chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection and its sequelae disproportionately affect Asian immigrants. Identification of chronic carriers can potentially reduce liver cancer and cirrhosis. This study identified factors associated with HBV serology testing among Korean Americans. METHODS: We conducted a population-based survey about HBV among randomly selected Korean adults age 18-64. Our primary outcome was self-report of HBV serology testing. We used bivariate comparisons to identify factors associated with HBV testing. RESULTS: The survey was completed by 466 Korean Americans. Although most had heard of HBV (93%), less than half reported past serology testing (48%) or vaccinations (46%). Sociodemographic factors associated with past HBV testing included: current or previous marriage; and fewer number of years spent in the U.S. Health care access factors associated with testing included: having a chronic health condition; and having received past obstetric care in Korea. Participants who received recommendations for testing from physicians or family members were more likely to have had serologic testing. Participants who correctly understood that HBV causes cirrhosis or liver cancer were more likely to have had testing (p<0.05 for all associations presented). CONCLUSIONS: Despite high incidence of cirrhosis and liver cancer, more than half of Korean Americans reported no history of HBV serology testing. As part of a strategy to reduce the disproportionate burden of chronic HBV, clinicians should consider routine serologic testing for Korean patients and their families, and offer vaccination for those without immunity. Clinicians should emphasize the long-term consequences of chronic infection with their Korean patients.

Learning Objectives:

• List sociodemographic, health care access, and other factors associated with hepatitis B serologic testing among Korean Americans
• Recognize subgroups among Korean immigrants "at risk" for having no previous hepatitis B testing or vaccination
• Discuss potential public health and clinical interventions to increase hepatitis B testing among Korean Americans, a group with high risk for chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and liver cancer

Keywords: Asian and Pacific Islander, Hepatitis B

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

• Slides (pdf) or Handout