Screening for disease and preventive immunizations among Cambodian Americans

This study investigated screening awareness among Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, California, which is home to about 50,000 members of this population. Information is lacking about awareness of screening for health conditions among Cambodians. A random sample of respondents (n = 680) was obtained from census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. A cross-sectional survey obtained demographic information and information on awareness of preventive immunizations, chronic conditions, and screening for disease. The percentages of persons who did not have either an influenza or pneumonia shot in the past year were 39.5% and 67.1%, respectively. The percentage or persons who had heard of any form of hepatitis was 78.4%. Among all respondents, the percentages of persons who had never received a Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B vaccine were 62.0% and 62.9%, respectively. The percentage of persons who had never had their blood cholesterol checked was 25.0%. Among all respondents, 72.2% had checked their blood cholesterol within the past year. Among all respondents, 37.2% were told by a doctor their blood cholesterol was high. This research highlights the need to increase awareness among Cambodian Americans regarding the need for preventive immunizations and chronic disease screening.