Factors related to hepatitis B screening among Africans in New York City.

Abstract

To understand factors that US Africans identify as barriers and facilitators for accessing hepatitis B (HBV) screening. In-depth interviews were conducted and guided by the PEN-3 model to elicit culturally driven information in minority communities. Interviews were conducted with 22 US Africans. Salient themes that emerged were HBV knowledge, complexity of the US medical system, unaccustomed to preventive care, language and health literacy, availability and accessibility of screening, fear of disclosure, reliance on faith community, stigma of HBV, primacy towards a higher power on illnesses, and social systems influences. Findings were consistent with other at-risk populations, however, emphasis on privacy and fear of disclosure are distinct to Africans. This reinforces the need for a culturally targeted intervention for this at-risk population.