Hepatitis B testing for liver cancer control among Korean Americans.
BACKGROUND
In Los Angeles County, Koreans surpass all other groups with respect to liver cancer incidence and mortality. An estimated 80%-85% of all liver cancer is etiologically related to chronic hepatitis B viral infection. Hepatitis B serologic testing of adult immigrants from highly endemic areas such as Asia is recommended as the first step in the control of hepatitis B infection and associated morbidities including liver cancer.


OBJECTIVE
To collect pilot data to obtain an initial understanding of hepatitis B serologic testing and vaccination rates and associated knowledge and beliefs in a community sample of Korean adults (N=141, 85% foreign born, mean age 45 years) in the greater Los Angeles area.


METHODS
Cross-sectional survey.


METHODS
Five Korean Christian churches and one Korean-serving primary care clinic.


RESULTS
The hepatitis B serologic testing rate in our sample was 56%. Approximately one quarter of those tested reported that they were either chronic carriers or were immune as a result of a previous infection. Of those who remained susceptible to future infections, only 38% reported having been vaccinated. Constructs from our conceptual model, the Health Behavior Framework, were significant predictors of serologic testing, including hepatitis B knowledge, barriers to testing, and receipt of a physician's recommendation to get tested.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that intervention research is urgently needed to increase hepatitis B awareness and testing among Korean American adults with subsequent vaccination and followup as indicated.
Division of Cancer Prevention and Control Research, School of Public Health, Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-6900, USA. bastani@ucla.edu
Roshan
R
Bastani
Beth A
BA
Glenn
Annette E
AE
Maxwell
Angela M
AM
Jo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000208:ethnology; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000821:virology*; D015141:Los Angeles; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D006513:Hepatitis B e Antigens