197343 Hepatitis B screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Cambodians

Monday, November 9, 2009

Grace X. Ma, PhD , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Yin Tan, MD , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Steven E. Shive, PHD, MPH , Health Department, East Stroudsburg University, East Stroudsburg, PA
Min Qi Wang, PhD , Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland School of Public Health, College Park, MD
Philip Siu, MD , Chinatown Medical Services, Philadelphia, PA
Joanne Rhee, BS , Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA
Background: HBV is the third most common cause of cancer death among Asians. Studies have revealed low screening rates amongst Asian Americans.

Purpose: The purpose was to determine factors associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) screening compliance and non-compliance among Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Cambodian Americans. Methods: A cross-sectional design consisting of 1603 men and women aged 18 or older with varying levels of English language proficiency. The variables associated with HBV/liver cancer screening consisted of demographics, acculturation, and barriers. Data was analyzed with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals using logistic regression modeling.Results: Overall, 71.4% of the sample reported having never been screened ("never-screened"). Variables associated with screening rates among the subgroups varied differentially. Demographic factors associated with never-screened were: education; low income; having health insurance; age; marital status; and gender. Acculturation factors associated with never-screened were: level of English proficiency; not reading newspapers in English; watching TV in one's native language. Barriers associated with never-screened were: lack of knowledge; psychosocial factors; no insurance; language; transportation; time. Those who lacked knowledge about HBV were more likely to be never-screened. Cambodians, Koreans, and Chinese who had language and transportation barriers were 2.6 to 8.3 times more likely to be never-screened. Chinese without health insurance were 3.7 times more likely to be never-screened. Discussion: High incidence of HBV and liver cancer in Asian Americans mandates a more vigorous and more culturally and linguistically appropriate educational effort to increase screening and vaccination for HBV in these underserved and mostly uninsured populations.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe characteristics of Asians who have been never-screened or noncompliant. 2. Describe barriers that lead to these low screening and compliance rates. 3. Discuss how results of this study can be used for development of an intervention strategy that would improve the rate of screening and vaccination for HBV in Asians.

Keywords: Hepatitis B, Barriers to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the Principal Investigator of the study to be presented. There is no conflict of interest with any commercial entity associated with this study.
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.

See more of: Asian & Pacific Islander Disparities in Infectious/Communicable Disease
See more of: Asian Pacific Islander Caucus for Public Health