Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105564

kejia Wan¹, Jennifer Chuy², Jennifer Toh³, Chau Trihn-Shevrin⁴, and henry Pollack¹. (1) NYU School of Medicine, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, New York University, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, 2122638197, henry.pollack@med.nyu.edu, (2) Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 10016, (3) School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14214, (4) Center for the Study of Asian American Health, New York University, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the level of knowledge regarding hepatitis B infection among the Chinese immigrant community in NYC, to identify their status of and attitudes towards hepatitis B testing and vaccination, to identify the current obstacles in their access to health care services in the United States, and to propose the best resources and measures for future public hepatitis B initiative targeting them. METHODS: A survey instrument was used for data collection. A total of 397 Chinese adults completed a questionnaire, which comprised items regarding general knowledge of hepatitis B, utilization of and barriers to health care services and demographic information. RESULTS: Findings indicated a low screening rate (49%) and vaccination rate(44%), and a significant number of individuals (19%) received HBV vaccination without being tested. Subjects in this study demonstrated an overall low level of hepatitis knowledge, specifically the mode of transmission, asymptomatic nature of chronic infection, treatment options and its effectiveness, and long-term sequelae of chronic infection. Health insurance coverage, service costs, language barriers, clinic hours and unfamiliarity with the U.S. health care system posed significant barriers to care. CONCLUSIONS: With the acknowledgement of the vulnerability and the lack of resources demonstrated by this population, government sponsored public hepatitis B initiatives are needed with focus on education, mass screening, vaccination of high-risk individuals, and early treatment for those with chronic infection.

Learning Objectives: The participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• identify the current obstacles in seeking health care services for hepatitis B infection among the Chinese American population
• apply the knowledge to future hepatitis B initiative programs

Keywords: Asian Americans, Community Health Programs

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.