Hepatitis B knowledge and practices among Chinese Canadian women in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Abstract

Liver cancer rates are higher in North American Chinese than non-Asian ethnic/racial groups, largely due to chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. A community-based survey of Chinese women (n = 147) was completed during 1999 to examine HBV knowledge and practices in Vancouver, British Columbia. Most women had heard of HBV (85%) but smaller proportions knew about some routes of transmission (e.g., sexual intercourse) and sequelae of infection. Knowledge about HBV was significantly associated with education level (p = 0.005), English fluency (p < 0.001) and household income (p = 0.007). Previous serologic testing for HBV infection was significantly associated with education level (p = 0.04), English fluency (p = 0.01), and level of knowledge about HBV (p < 0.001). Efforts to increase knowledge about HBV infection in this community should consider targeting less educated and less acculturated individuals.