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.
Bastani
Roshan
R
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
Glenn
Beth A
BA
Maxwell
Annette E
AE
Jo
Angela M
AM
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