Source
Vietnamese Community Health Promotion Project and UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA. Tung.Nguyen@ucsf.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Due to the high prevalence of hepatitis B, Asian Americans have high rates of liver cancer. Screening for hepatitis B leads to monitoring and treatment and prevent further infection through vaccination of contacts.
METHODS:
We reviewed the published literature up to 2006 on hepatitis B awareness, knowledge, and screening among Asian Americans.
RESULTS:
Many Asian Americans lack knowledge about hepatitis B and have not been screened. Sociodemographics, knowledge, beliefs, and health care variables are associated with screening.
CONCLUSIONS:
Further research and health policy changes are needed to address the problem of hepatitis B and liver cancer among Asian Americans.