Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

    Language

    English

    Publication Date

    2007

    Journal

    Journal of the National Medical Association

    DOI

    10.3390/nu14224878

    PMID

    17722668

    PMCID

    PMC2574302

    PubMedCentral® Posted Date

    November 2022

    PubMedCentral® Full Text Version

    Post-print

    Abstract

    OBJECTIVES: 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%).

    CONCLUSION: 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.

    Keywords

    Health Education, Health Promotion, Hepatitis B/ethnology, Hepatitis B/prevention & control

    Published Open-Access

    yes

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