Reducing liver cancer disparities: a community-based hepatitis-B prevention program for Asian-American communities.
OBJECTIVE
Several Asian-American groups are at a higher risk of dying of liver diseases attributable to hepatitis-B infection. This culturally diverse community should be well informed of and protected against liver diseases. The present study assesses the knowledge of hepatitis B before and after a hepatitis-B educational program and determines the infection status of an Asian community.


METHODS
Nine Asian communities of Montgomery County, MD, enrolled in the hepatitis-B prevention program between 2005 and 2006. They attended culturally tailored lectures on prevention, completed self-administered pre- and posttests, and received blood screening for the disease.


RESULTS
More than 800 Asian Americans participated in the study. Knowledge of prevention was improved after educational delivery. The average infection rate was 4.5%, with Cambodian, Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese and Korean groups having higher infection rates. The age group of 36-45 had the highest percentage of carriers (9.1%).


CONCLUSIONS
Many Asian groups, particularly those of a southeast Asian decent, were subject to a higher probability of hepatitis-B infection. At an increased risk are first-generation Asian immigrants, groups with low immunization rates and those aged 36-45. The findings provide potential directions for focusing preventive interventions on at-risk Asian communities to reduce liver cancer disparities.
Hsu
Chiehwen Ed
CE
Department of Public and Community Health, University of Maryland, College Park, 2371 HHP Building, Valley Drive College Park, MD 20742, USA. edhsu@umd.edu
Liu
Louis Chih-Hung
LC
Juon
Hee-Soon
HS
Chiu
Yu-Wen
YW
Bawa
Julie
J
Tillman
Ulder
U
Li
Mark
M
Miller
Jerry
J
Wang
MinQi
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006293:Health Promotion; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D012306:Risk; D014611:Vaccination
D015415:Biomarkers; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens