Vicky M. Taylor, MD, MPH¹, Yutaka Yasui, PhD¹, Nancy J. Burke, PhD², John H. Choe, MD, MPH³, Elizabeth Acorda, BA¹, and J. Carey Jackson, MD, MA, MPH⁴. (1) Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, PO Box 19024, MP702, 1100 Fairview Avenue N., Seattle, WA 98109-1024, (2) Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, 74 New Montgomery, Suite 200, Box 0981, San Francisco, CA 94143 -0981, (3) 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, (206) 667-7802, johnchoe@u.washington.edu, (4) Division of General Internal Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Box 359780, 325 Ninth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104

Introduction: Southeast Asian women in the United States are eight times more likely to be diagnosed with liver cancer than White women. This health disparity is attributable to high rates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Our study objective was to examine factors associated with previous HBV testing among Vietnamese women. Methods: An in-person, population-based survey was conducted among Vietnamese women in Seattle. The questionnaire content was guided by an earlier qualitative study and the PRECEDE Framework. Results: The survey was completed by 370 women (response rate: 82%). About one-third (32%) of the respondents reported that they had never been tested for HBV. Further, less than one-half (44%) had ever received a physician recommendation for HBV testing. The following factors were associated (p<0.01) with reported previous testing in bivariate comparisons: knowing that HBV can be spread during childbirth, by sexual intercourse, and by sharing toothbrushes; doctor(s) had recommended testing; family member(s) or friend(s) had suggested testing; and family member(s) were chronically infected with hepatitis B. In a multivariate analysis, women who reported a previous physician recommendation had a 4.8 higher odds (95% confidence interval: 2.5-9.0) of HBV testing than those who did not. Conclusion: Low levels of HBV testing remain a public health problem among Vietnamese Americans. Health education about HBV transmission may stimulate patients to seek testing. Physicians should be educated about the importance of testing Asian immigrants for hepatitis B.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, audience members will be able to

• Recognize the increased risk for liver cancer among Vietnamese immigrants because of chronic hepatitis B viral (HBV) infection;
• List sociodemographic and health service delivery factors associated with serologic testing for HBV in Vietnamese American women;
• Recognize segments of Vietnamese immigrant communities with elevated risk for never having been tested for HBV infection.

Keywords: Asian Women, Hepatitis B

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.