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Hepatitis B knowledge among Vietnamese immigrants: implications for prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma.
- Source :
-
Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education [J Cancer Educ] 2000 Spring; Vol. 15 (1), pp. 51-5. - Publication Year :
- 2000
-
Abstract
- Background: Vietnamese have higher liver cancer rates than any other racial/ethnic group in the United States. Approximately 80% of liver cancers are etiologically associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, which is endemic in Southeast Asia.<br />Methods: A telephone survey of randomly selected Vietnamese households (n = 75) was conducted during 1998 to examine HBV knowledge among Seattle's Vietnamese community. The questionnaire included items related to the transmission of HBV, the possible sequelae of infection, and disease prevention.<br />Results: The response rate was 70% among reachable and eligible households. Prior to being provided with a description of the disease, two thirds of our respondents had heard of HBV infection. Less than 60% knew that asymptomatic individuals can transmit the disease to others. Most thought that HBV infection can cause liver cancer (63%) and death (80%). However, only a minority knew that infection can be lifelong (38%) and incurable (22%). Finally, 28% had never heard of the HBV vaccine. There were significant associations between knowledge and educational level as well as home ownership.<br />Conclusions: The findings suggest that Vietnamese immigrants have low levels of knowledge about HBV infection, and indicate a need for targeted educational interventions aimed at reducing HBV-related liver cancer mortality.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Aged
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular epidemiology
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular etiology
Chi-Square Distribution
Female
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Hepatitis B complications
Hepatitis B epidemiology
Humans
Incidence
Liver Neoplasms epidemiology
Liver Neoplasms etiology
Male
Middle Aged
Population Surveillance
Risk Assessment
Sampling Studies
Surveys and Questionnaires
Urban Population
Vietnam ethnology
Washington epidemiology
Attitude to Health ethnology
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular prevention & control
Disease Transmission, Infectious prevention & control
Emigration and Immigration statistics & numerical data
Hepatitis B transmission
Liver Neoplasms prevention & control
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0885-8195
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Journal of cancer education : the official journal of the American Association for Cancer Education
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 10730805
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1080/08858190009528654