Abstract
BackgroundLiver cancer is one of most commonly diagnosed cancers among Koreans. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for liver cancer. HBV infection can be prevented by effective screening and vaccination programs. The purpose of this study is to examine the status of HBV infection and the predictors associated with HBV vaccination.MethodsThe study population was derived from the 2005 Korea National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS). The KNCSS is an annual cross-sectional survey that uses a nationally-representative random sampling to investigate cancer screening rates. A total of 1,786 Koreans over 40 years of age participated in this study.ResultsOf all the participants, 5.9% reported HBV positive (HBsAg+, HBsAb-), 41.8% were HBV negative but protected (HBsAg-, HBsAb+), and 52.3% were unprotected (HBsAg-, HBsAb-). Among unprotected individuals (n = 934), 23.1% reported to have received the vaccination. About half of those who had vaccinations completed the 3-shot vaccine series. In multiple analyses, education, having private cancer insurance, alcohol use, having regular check-up, and doing regular exercise were associated with completed HBV vaccination.ConclusionThis study result suggests that we need a liver cancer education program to increase HBV awareness and to increase the liver cancer prevention message among low educated populations.
Highlights
Liver cancer is one of most commonly diagnosed cancers among Koreans
Two billion people have been infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV), 360 million have chronic infection, and 600,000 die each year from HBV-related liver disease or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) [1]
The purpose of this paper is to examine the status of HBV infection and the rate of HBV vaccination and to examine factors associated with HBV vaccination among Koreans using data from the 2005 Korean National Cancer Screening Survey (KNCSS)
Summary
Liver cancer is one of most commonly diagnosed cancers among Koreans. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major risk factor for liver cancer. In response to the higher prevalence of liver cancer mortality in Korea, previous studies have examined the status of HBV infection in a representative [6,7,8] or non-random sample of health care workers [9]. From the third Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES III), Koreans over 40 years of ages reported that the prevalence of HBV infection was 4.0% (4.2% for men and 3.8%for women) [8]. The NCSP recommends liver cancer screening every six months for men and women aged 40 years and older who are at high risk for liver cancer such as liver cirrhosis, HBsAg positive, or anti-HCV positive, with alphafetoprotein (AFP) and ultrasonography [12]
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