title: Knowledge of hepatitis B risk factors and prevention practices among individuals chronically infected with hepatitis B in San Francisco, California.
abstract: Asian/Pacific Islanders (A/PIs) in the United States are disproportionately affected by the hepatitis B virus (HBV), which can cause a lifelong liver infection that may result in cirrhosis, liver failure, liver cancer, or death. Although previous studies have measured knowledge of hepatitis B transmission and prevention practices in A/PI communities, we present results from the first population-based study of this type, which specifically focuses on A/PIs who are chronically infected with HBV. Through telephone interviews, we assessed the HBV risk factor knowledge and prevention practices of a population-based, random sample of persons with chronic HBV who were reported to the San Francisco Department of Public Health between October 2007 and July 2009. Among 829 respondents, 67% were foreign born A/PIs of Chinese ethnicity who did not speak English as their primary language. Among all respondents, 75% were unable to identify how they acquired HBV, and 41% said that they do nothing to prevent transmission of HBV to their close contacts. Knowledge of HBV risk factors and recommended prevention practices was poor among A/PIs who are chronically infected with HBV and who may transmit the infection to others.
authors: California Emerging Infections Program, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. amy.nishimura@sfdph.org
authors: Amy
authors: A
authors: Nishimura
authors: Patricia
authors: P
authors: Shiono
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Stier
authors: Sue
authors: S
authors: Shallow
authors: Melissa
authors: M
authors: Sanchez
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Huang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012495:San Francisco; D055815:Young Adult