Development of a program to educate Cambodian immigrants about hepatitis B

Avoidable mortality from hepatitis B-related liver disease is an important health disparity experienced by Cambodian Americans. Seattle's Cambodian Health Project is a community-based participatory research initiative and currently focuses on hepatitis B control. Participating community-based organizations include the Cambodian Women's Association and Khmer Community of Seattle–King County. The project actively collaborates with a Cambodian community coalition. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to collect needs assessment data. Specifically, four focus groups (37 participants) provided information about sources of health information among Cambodians, and a community-based survey (sample size = 111; response rate = 88%) provided data about hepatitis B knowledge and practices. Preferred sources of health information included Khmer language audiovisual and print materials. Few participants had access to Khmer language media or accessed the Internet for health information. The survey indicated that less than one-half (46%) of Cambodian immigrants have received a hepatitis B blood test, and also documented some important hepatitis B knowledge deficits. For example, only 43% of the respondents knew that Cambodian Americans are more likely to be infected with hepatitis B than white Americans. The qualitative and quantitative findings were used to guide the selection of interventions (e.g., the distribution of program materials through Cambodian grocery stores), materials (e.g., a calendar with monthly hepatitis B messages), and educational content (e.g., Cambodians are at high risk of hepatitis B) of a hepatitis B program targeting Seattle's Cambodian community.