Prevention is always good: Liver cancer prevention guide for Vietnamese

The purpose of the photonovel was to increase awareness of hepatitis B infection and to facilitate hepatitis B screening and vaccination among adult Vietnamese immigrants, particularly those who have limited English fluency and low health literacy. In early 2009, the research team conducted two focus group discussions with Vietnamese immigrants (n=14) to assess the knowledge gap and factors associated with hepatitis B screening. Based on the focus group finding, a storyline of the photonovel was developed. A young Vietnamese couple's consultation with a medical provider presents a good model for learning about hepatitis B infection and preventive measures. The information presented was concise enough to discuss with participants' close associates. The pilot-test was conducted with Vietnamese community leaders and lay persons. The pilot-test examined the cultural relevancy of the storyline, the affinity to the characters, and understandability of the facts/data presented. The photonovel was distributed to Vietnamese participants in the intervention group of Maryland Asian American Liver Cancer Education Program (R25 CA1290452). A process evaluation, one month after the intervention session, found that the photonovel was very well received among Vietnamese immigrants. 94% of the Vietnamese respondents to the process evaluation (n=100) said that the cancer information presented in the photonovel was useful. &6% said that they planned to get hepatitis B screening in the next 5 months and 68% said that they were confident that they could go to the screening. The respondents with lower education level rated the photonovel more positively than those with higher education.