Understanding health information preferences of individuals with chronic hepatitis B infection

Background: Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major health disparity in Asian Pacific Islanders (API). 10-15% of APIs have HBV compared to 0.3% of the general U.S. population. Asian immigrants are more likely to unknowingly have HBV due to the high prevalence and lack of screening and vaccinations in Asian countries. Objective: To collect in-depth formative data from individuals with chronic HBV to inform an evidence-based HBV social marketing campaign targeting Chinese and Korean communities in New York City. Methods: (1) Conduct a literature review on chronic HBV infection and APIs. (2) Conduct at least one focus group in both the Chinese and Korean communities with individuals who have chronic HBV to collect in-depth information on illness perceptions and barriers and facilitators for screening. Results: A limited number of articles discuss attitudes and barriers from APIs with chronic HBV. No studies have collected in-depth information to understand the context of the illness to inform educational campaigns. Following social marketing principles, we will be conducting focus groups that examine HBV perceptions and identify barriers and facilitators for screening. Discussion: There is limited information on chronic HBV infection among APIs despite the health disparity. This information is essential to informing educational campaigns by addressing issues relevant to individuals with chronic HBV and promoting a better understanding of the impact of HBV among APIs.