Inpatients' Knowledge about Primary Liver Cancer and Hepatitis

Wen-Jing He,Geng-Zhen Chen,Rui-Rui Xu,Jun-Jie Ouyang,Ming-Yan Xu,Xiao-Qiong Zhou,Hui Han

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2013.14.8.4913

Abstract

To assess the level of an inpatient population's awareness about hepatitis and primary liver cancer (PLC), the most common type of which is hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and then to initiate education of this group. A survey was conducted with 1300 participants within the inpatient unit in representative tertiary hospitals in the Chaoshan area of China. Structured questionnaires contained demographic data and statements about different aspects of liver cancer and hepatitis. The questionnaires were completed by trained medical practitioners after they had conducted the interviews. One way ANOVA showed that the sample population lacked adequate knowledge about HCC and hepatitis. Stepwise multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the participant's level of education had the greatest impact on their total knowledge score when other variables remained constant. The study demonstrated: a general lack of awareness amongst the participants about the preventative strategies, and the management options available for people with primary liver cancer and hepatitis; education level was an important factor affecting knowledge levels. The demonstrated deficiencies in people's knowledge about hepatitis and HCC, and their lack of subsequent protective behaviours are likely to play an important role in HCC and hepatitis transmission or prevention.

Highlights

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death (El-Serag et al, 2008; Shariff, et al, 2009; Ferlay et al, 2010; Bruix et al, 2011)
What reasons lie behind the high incidence and the high mortality rates of primary liver cancer in China? Firstly, China has a high occurrence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection
A survey of national epidemiology was announced in April 2008 by the Ministry of Health which showed that 93 million confirmed people in China had been infected with HBV, which is approximately 7,000 per 100,000 people

Summary

Introduction

Primary liver cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the world and is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death (El-Serag et al, 2008; Shariff, et al, 2009; Ferlay et al, 2010; Bruix et al, 2011). Developing countries are disproportionally affected by HCC and over 80% of HCCs occur in such countries (Ferlay et al, 2010), China accounts for approximately 55% of the total world’s burden. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that the overall 5-year survival rate is estimated to be less than 10 per cent, after taking into account patients who have different stages of liver cancer. HCC is the third most common deadly cancer in China, accounting for about 20% of the total cancer mortality burden.

Methods

Results

Conclusion