Perception of Chronic Hepatitis B in Asian Communities of the United States

Background: Asian Americans represent an ethnic group that has a high prevalence of CHB compared with the general population in the USA. However, a large proportion of Asian Americans may not receive adequate healthcare and it is thought that CHB awareness is low in this community. The aim of this study was to assess awareness of CHB among the general Asian-American population. In addition, this study aimed to assess the role and attitudes of primary care physicians in CHB diagnosis and treatment, particularly in relation to the Asian-American community. Methods: Participants completed a questionnaire regarding attitudes towards CHB. Participants from the Asian-American community were randomly selected using telephone directories and completed the questionnaire during telephone interviews. Primary care physicians completed a structured, online questionnaire. Results: A total of 610 members of the Asian-American community and 393 physicians took part in this study. There appeared to be some level of awareness of CHB and its seriousness among the Asian-American participants; many respondents agreed with statements regarding the seriousness of the disease (66%) and a high proportion reported having had a blood test for HBV (71%). However, the proportion of respondents who reported having been vaccinated against HBV was low (61%), with almost one third agreeing that they did not believe that they needed a vaccination (30%). Conclusions: More education regarding CHB disease progression, prevention and treatment is needed among both the Asian-American community and primary care physicians in order to reduce the burden of CHB in the USA.