Provider knowledge and practice regarding hepatitis B screening in Chinese-speaking patients

J Cancer Educ. 2007 Spring;22(1):37-41. doi: 10.1007/BF03174373.

Abstract

Background: The extent to which academic general medicine providers screen Chinese-speaking patients for hepatitis B virus (HBV) is not known.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of Chinese-speaking patients' HBV screening status and survey of providers' HBV knowledge/screening.

Results: Most patients (65%) received HBV screening. Being screened was independently associated with marital status and years in the clinic. Providers with Asian language abilities and greater knowledge of HBV risk factors/guidelines were more likely to screen.

Conclusions: Chinese-speaking patients in this setting were underscreened for HBV. Providers underestimated the risks associated with Chinese ethnicity. Education is needed to improve risk assessment and guideline awareness.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • China / ethnology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hepatitis B / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis B / ethnology*
  • Hepatitis B / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Mass Screening*
  • Middle Aged
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Serologic Tests / statistics & numerical data