294888
Association between informational support and hepatitis b screening among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese adults
Xiaoxiao Lu, MPH,
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Hee-Soon Juon, PhD,
Department of Health, Behavior & Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
Sunmin Lee, ScD, MPH,
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Background: Asian Americans are at high-risk for hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. However, relatively little is known about the determinants of adherence to HBV screening, including association with informational support. Objective: To examine association between informational support and hepatitis B virus screening among Asian Americans. Methods: We used data of 872 Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese recruited for a liver cancer prevention program in Maryland during 2009 to 2010. Informational support was measured by recommendations from physicians, family members and friends, and inquiring a doctor about HBV screening. Outcome was self-reported HBV screening status. Results: 410 (47%) respondents reported previous HBV screening. Only 19.8% (n=173) recalled a physician recommendation. After controlling for potential confounders, higher level of HBV screening were among people who reported having physician recommendation (Odds ratio (OR) = 8.2, 95% Confidence interval (CI) = 5.2, 12.7), family member recommendation (OR = 6.0, 95% CI= 4.0, 9.0) and friend recommendation (OR = 4.1, 95% CI= 2.5, 6.5). Participants who had more than one types of recommendations are more likely to have HBV screening compared to those without any recommendation (OR = 10.4, 95% CI= 6.4, 19.9). People who inquired a doctor about HBV screening were strongly associated with screening status (OR = 11.1, 95% CI= 6.8, 18.2). The association was stronger among well educated than less educated. Conclusions: Recommendations from doctors, family members and friends were strongly associated with HBV screening. Clearly, information support from physician and social networks should be encouraged for HBV screening among Asian Americans.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Communication and informatics
Epidemiology
Public health or related education
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Explain Hepatitis B screening behavior among Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese in Maryland
Evaluate the association between informational support and Hepatitis B screening status
Keyword(s): Hepatitis B, Asian Americans
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the researcher focusing on the social determinants and health disparities among Asian Americans. Among my scientific interests has been the development of strategies for preventing Hepatitis B in foreign borne Asian Americans.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
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.