Knowledge, Risk Perception, and Barriers Related To Tuberculosis Screening and Treatment among Foreign Born Vietnamese in Orange County

Epidemiological evidences in the United States show the tuberculosis (TB) rate remains at the highest rate among the immigrant populations. According to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the foreign born Vietnamese community in Orange County has the highest incidence of TB than any other ethnic groups. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 103 Vietnamese foreign born adults, aged 18 and older. The study examined the knowledge and risk perception related to TB within the foreign born Vietnamese community in Orange County, and identified factors and barriers that impact TB screening and treatment in this population. The Pearson correlation and correlation coefficient were conducted to examine the associations between TB knowledge and perceived risk, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. The study results showed that income (p=0.04), belief in karma (p=0.03), and a belief that TB is a disease of Vietnamese people (p=0.00) were powerfully correlated with delayed seeking of care for TB by Vietnamese immigrants in Orange County. Although the participants in this study possessed some incorrect knowledge about TB, there was no indication that their knowledge affected their perception of risks of contracting TB. These findings may help explain why the Vietnamese immigrants delay seeking early TB care and show a higher rate of active TB disease than other ethnic groups. The results of this study emphasize the need for public health efforts to focus on social and spiritual aspects of TB care.