 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Victoria M. Taylor, MD, MPH1, Yutaka Yasui, PhD1, Nancy J. Burke, PhD2, Tung T. Nguyen, MD3, Anthony L-T Chen, MD4, Elizabeth Acorda, BA1, John H. Choe, MD, MPH5, and J. Carey Jackson, MD, MA, MPH6. (1) Cancer Prevention Research Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, MP702, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-1024, 206-667-5114, vtaylor@fhcrc.org, (2) UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 200, Box 0981, San Francisco, CA 94143-0981, (3) Division of General Internal Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, 400 Parnassus Avenue, Box 0320, San Francisco, CA 94143, (4) International Community Health Services, 7118 M L King Jr. Way S., Seattle, WA 98118, (5) Biobehavioral Cancer Prevention and Control Training Program, University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, P.O. Box 19024, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., MP-702, Seattle, WA 98109, (6) Division of General Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
Introduction: Vietnamese American men are over 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer than their non-Latino white counterparts. This health disparity is attributable to high rates of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Vietnamese communities. Authorities recommend routine hepatitis B serologic testing of Asian immigrants. Our study objective was to examine factors associated with HBV testing adherence among Vietnamese men. Methods: A population-based survey of Vietnamese men was completed in Seattle during 2002. In-person interviews were conducted by bicultural, bilingual male survey workers. The questionnaire content was guided by an earlier qualitative study and the Adherence Model. Results: The survey was completed by 345 men (response rate: 80%). Over one-third (34%) of the respondents had not been tested for HBV. The following factors were associated (p<0.05) with previous serologic testing in bivariate comparisons: older age; having a regular source of care and regular provider; not thinking illness is a matter of karma/fate; having family members who were chronically infected; knowing that HBV can be spread during childbirth and sexual intercourse, and by someone who looks and feels healthy; thinking HBV can cause liver cancer and death; not thinking blood tests deplete the body of energy; and doctor(s) had recommended testing as well as had asked doctor(s) for testing. Discussion: Our results demonstrate the importance of physician-patient interactions and regular health care in increasing HBV testing among Vietnamese American men. Health education about HBV transmission and the health consequences of chronic infection may stimulate patients to seek testing.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.