title: Hepatitis B knowledge and associated factors among people with chronic hepatitis B.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess hepatitis B knowledge among people with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  People with CHB in three Australian jurisdictions completed a self-administered questionaire, including 24 hepatitis B knowledge questions across four domains: transmission; natural history; epidemiology and prevention; and clinical management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety-three people completed the survey. Mean age was 45 years, 43% were women and 93% were born overseas (75% from Asia). Mean total knowledge score was 55 out of 100 with 17 participants (18%) scoring ≥75 (defined as a high knowledge). Clinical management scored the lowest (median: 25) and natural history scored the highest (median: 80). In adjusted linear regression, tertiary education (vs. secondary and under) was associated with higher knowledge score (β: 11.95; 95%CI: 2.45, 21.44; p=0.01). In adjusted logistic regression, very good English proficiency (vs. limited/no proficiency) was associated with high knowledge (OR: 7.65; 95%CI: 1.94, 30.19; p<0.01). Participants reporting hepatitis B-related anxiety demonstrated a significantly higher knowledge score compared to those reporting no such anxiety (β: 15.11; 95%CI: 4.40, 25.81; p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hepatitis B-related knowledge gaps were identified among people with CHB. Interventions to improve knowledge should focus on people with low levels of academic education and limited English proficiency.
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, Victoria.|The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia.
authors.forename: Behzad
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hajarizadeh
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wallace
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Jacqui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Richmond
authors.affiliation: Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS), La Trobe University, Victoria.
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.affiliation: Cancer Council Victoria.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Enright
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D057220:Health Literacy; D006306:Health Surveys; D006509:Hepatitis B; D019694:Hepatitis B, Chronic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: English proficiency; anxiety; concern; education; transmission; treatment