Exploring Communication Strategies for Promoting Hepatitis B Prevention among Young Asian American Adults

Evaluation of the health promotion effect of hepatitis B prevention and treatment in the Zhejiang demonstration area, China

Background

To investigate the health literacy level and health promotion effect of hepatitis B prevention and treatment in the demonstration area of Zhejiang Province.

Methods

The National Science and Technology Major Health Education Group took 6 demonstration areas in Zhejiang Province as the whole research site. After the sample size (N=2160 people) was determined, a multistage stratified cluster sampling method was used to conduct a questionnaire survey in 2018 (before health education) and 2019 (after health education). Stata 12 statistical software was used to analyse the status and improvement rate of hepatitis B health literacy of residents in the demonstration area before and after health education and compare the health promotion effects of different health intervention methods.

Results

Before and after health education, there was no significant difference in the basic information of the subjects (P>0.05). After the health education intervention, the level of hepatitis B health literacy of residents in the demonstration area increased by 11.8%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The awareness rate of hepatitis B transmission was low before health education but increased after health education. The form of "Internet +" health education may better improve the residents' health literacy level about hepatitis B prevention and treatment.

Conclusion

After health education, the level of health literacy of residents in the Zhejiang demonstration area about hepatitis B prevention and control significantly improved, but there is room for further improvement. In the future, targeted health education intervention should be carried out, and the health education mode of "Internet +" can achieve better results to effectively prevent and control hepatitis B.

Digital Marketing: A Unique Multidisciplinary Approach towards the Elimination of Viral Hepatitis

New technologies are supported by the global implementation of the internet. These improvements have deeply affected various disciplines of sciences and consequently changed services such as daily business, particularly health sectors. Innovative digital marketing strategies utilize the channels of social media and retrieved user data to analyze and improve relevant services. These multidisciplinary innovations can assist specialists, physicians and researchers in diagnostic, prophylaxis and treatment issues in the health sector. Accordingly, compared to recent decades, health decision makers are more accurate and trustful in defining new strategies. Interestingly, using social media and mobile health apps in current pandemics of SARS-CoV-2 could be an important instance of the key role of these platforms at the local and global level of health policies. These digital technologies provide platforms to connect public health sectors and health politicians for communicating and spreading relevant information. Adding influencers and campaigns to this toolbox strengthens the implementation of public health programs. In 2016, the WHO adopted a global program to eliminate viral hepatitis by 2030. Recent constructive measures that have been used in the battle against COVID-19 could be adopted for the elimination of viral hepatitis program. The presented evidence in our narrative review demonstrates that the application of digital marketing tools to create campaigns on social media, armed with professional influencers, can efficiently consolidate this program. The application of different strategies in using these popular tools will raise the public awareness about viral hepatitis. Subsequently, the availability of an effective vaccine for HBV and antiviral medication for HCV can motivate the audience to take steps towards prophylaxis and screening methods against these infectious illnesses. The encouragement of health policy makers to apply digital communication technologies and comprehensive roadmaps to implement this global program will certainly decrease the burden of viral hepatitis worldwide.

Perceptions of Responsibility for Antibiotic Resistance: Implications for Stewardship Campaigns

Widespread public engagement with antibiotic stewardship is essential to stem the rising incidence of antibiotic-resistant infections; however, campaigns that focus on increasing knowledge have not been effective. Beliefs about who is responsible for causing and solving antibiotic resistance (AR) likely influences engagement in antibiotic stewardship behaviors. This study assesses the U.S. public's AR causal and solution responsibility attributions and the capacity for changing these attributions to inform future antibiotic stewardship campaigns. U.S. participants (N= 1,014) diverse across race, education, and geographic region were surveyed on their beliefs about responsibility for AR for themselves, the general public, healthcare providers, scientists, and drug companies. Substantial percentages of participants held causal and solution beliefs about antibiotic resistance that likely inhibit antibiotic stewardship behaviors. Participants' beliefs that they and the general public are responsible for causing and solving AR were lower than their beliefs that healthcare providers, scientists, and drug companies are responsible. Beliefs about causal responsibility for any given person or group were significantly and positively associated with beliefs about solution responsibility for that same person or group. Responsibility beliefs differed by age, education level, and racial/ethnic background. Results highlight the need for antibiotic stewardship campaigns to incorporate responsibility attribution messaging to motivate stewardship.

Modes of administering sexual health and blood-borne virus surveys in migrant populations: A scoping review

There has been a growing number of sexual health and blood-borne virus (SHBBV) surveys specifically administered to migrant populations. The purpose of this scoping review is to collate available information about how SHBBV surveys have been administered in migrant populations and the effect that mode of administration has on data quality, reliability and other practical considerations, e.g. response rates (RR) and social desirability bias. A methodological framework for scoping reviews was applied. SHBBV survey studies administered to international migrants published since 2000 were included if they contained some description of mode of administration. Ninety one studies were identified for inclusion from Embase, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar and supplementary grey literature. 'Interview only' was the most common mode of administration (n = 48), predominately comprising face-to-face interviews. Thirty six studies reported data from 'self-completed' surveys only, with pen-and-paper being most common (n = 17). Few studies (n = 7) combined interview and self-completed methods of survey administration. Sixty one studies did not report (or only partially reported) RR or the data necessary to calculate RR. Of the studies that reported RR, most were missing other key information including method of recruitment, consent procedures and whether incentives were offered. Strengths and limitations of all administration modes are summarised. Guidelines to inform future SHBBV survey research in migrant populations are presented.

A crowdsourced intervention to decrease hepatitis B stigma in men who have sex with men in China: A cohort study

Stigma against people with hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a barrier to prevention, diagnosis and treatment of HBV in China. Our study examined an innovative intervention to reduce HBV stigma among men who have sex with men (MSM) in China. We extracted data from a randomized controlled trial conducted in May 2018, where the intervention consisted of crowdsourced images and videos to promote viral hepatitis testing and reduce HBV stigma. HBV stigma was assessed using a 20-item scale at baseline and four weeks post-enrolment. Participants were divided into three groups based on their exposure to intervention: full exposure, partial exposure and no exposure. Linear regression was used to determine associations between baseline stigma and participant characteristics. Data from 470 MSM were analysed. Mean participant age was 25 years old and 56% had less education than a college bachelor's degree. Full exposure to intervention was associated with significant stigma reduction (adjusted beta = -3.49; 95% CI = -6.11 to -0.87; P = .01), while partial exposure led to stigma reduction that was not statistically significant. The mean stigma score was 50.6 (SD ± 14.7) at baseline, and stigma was most prominent regarding physical contact with HBV carriers. Greater HBV stigma was associated with not having a recent doctor's visit (adjusted beta = 4.35, 95% CI = 0.19 to 8.52; P = .04). In conclusion, crowdsourcing can decrease HBV stigma among MSM in China and may be useful in anti-stigma campaigns for vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries.

Comparing the Effects of Different Story Types and Speakers in Hepatitis B Storytelling Videos

Chronic hepatitis B, a condition associated with severe complications, disproportionately affects Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Increasing testing among this population is critical for improving health outcomes. This study compares different types of video narratives that use storytelling techniques to an informational video (control), to examine whether narratives are associated with higher hepatitis B beliefs scores and video rating outcomes. A sample of Asian American and Pacific Islander adults (N = 600) completed an online survey where they viewed one of four video conditions, three of which included storytelling techniques and one with informational content. Results indicated that parental stories received significantly higher perceived effectiveness ratings (M = 3.88, SD = 0.61) than the older adult personal stories (M = 3.62, SD = 0.74), F(3, 596) = 3.795, p = .010. Parental stories also had significantly higher perceived severity scores (M = 3.83, SD = 0.69) compared to the young adult stories (M = 3.73, SD = 0.74) and the informational videos (M = 3.83, SD = 0.69), F(3, 596) = 7.72, p < .001. The informational videos (M = 4.10, SD = 0.65) received significantly higher message credibility ratings than the older adult personal stories (M = 3.84, SD = 0.70), F(3, 596) = 4.71, p = .003. Follow-up tests using Bonferroni correction revealed that parental stories (M = 3.98, SD = 0.64) and young adult personal stories (M = 3.934, SD = 0.76) scored significantly higher on speaker ratings than the older adult personal stories (M = 3.698, SD = 0.77). Results suggest that storytelling has the potential for connecting with a specific audience in an emotional way that is perceived well overall. Future research should examine the long-term impact of hepatitis B personal story videos and whether the addition of facts or statistics to videos would improve outcomes.

Opioids on Twitter: A Content Analysis of Conversations regarding Prescription Drugs on Social Media and Implications for Message Design

As many as 130 lives are lost every day in the United States due to prescription drug misuse. The opioid crisis is gripping the country and disrupting the lives of millions. Not surprisingly, health organizations are desperately seeking solutions to educate and inform people regarding the issue, often seeking the help of various social media platforms. In this study, we do a content analysis of Twitter messages related to opioids in order to understand the factors that are most likely to influence content sharing. Our findings indicate that structure, source, and the actual content of the post all influence the likelihood of the content's being shared. Specifically, certain types of content enhanced the likelihood of content sharing whereas use of the term "addiction" discouraged retweeting. Theoretical and practical implications for message design are discussed.