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Cama E, Brener L, Horwitz R, Broady TR, Khoi Vu HM, Jin D, Wu KOE, Treloar C. Factors associated with hepatitis B knowledge among people of Vietnamese ethnicity in Australia. PSYCHOL HEALTH MED 2024; 29:1536-1547. [PMID: 38762748 DOI: 10.1080/13548506.2024.2350703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite high hepatitis B (HBV) prevalence among people of Vietnamese ethnicity in Australia and elsewhere, there is limited research on levels of HBV knowledge and factors associated with such knowledge. The aim of this study was to examine HBV knowledge and associated demographic and attitudinal factors among people of Vietnamese ethnicity in Australia. People of Vietnamese ethnicity (n = 966) were recruited through community events and social media groups to complete online surveys measuring HBV knowledge, attitudes towards HBV, levels of mistrust in Western medicine, and demographic characteristics. Findings of this study indicate that levels of knowledge are mixed, with gaps in knowledge related to transmission and treatment of the virus. Those with greater knowledge of HBV tended to be older, have higher levels of formal education, have been tested for HBV, and know someone living with HBV. Those with lower levels of knowledge tended to have more negative attitudes towards the virus and greater levels of mistrust in Western medicine. Given that health literacy is connected to effective communication from health providers, we suggest that there is a need for the development of health promotion and education resources targeted at people of Vietnamese ethnicity and translated into Vietnamese. We propose that such resources be developed in consultation with Vietnamese communities and health providers to ensure that they are culturally appropriate and sensitive to people of Vietnamese ethnicity living in Australia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Robyn Horwitz
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | | | | | - Defeng Jin
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - K O E Wu
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Australia
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Williams N, Griffin G, Wall M, Bradfield Z. The sexual and reproductive health knowledge of women in Australia: A scoping review. Health Promot J Austr 2024. [PMID: 39097983 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) knowledge influences health literacy and promotes positive health behaviours. This scoping review explores the SRH knowledge of women in Australia and reports on knowledge assessment, ways of learning, enablers and barriers, and interventions to improve knowledge. METHODS Seven databases were searched for eligible articles published in English between 2012 and 2022. RESULTS Eighty-five sources were included for analysis. Data were mapped by knowledge topic and population group and charted against four review objectives. Assessment of knowledge was the primary focus in 59% of sources. Two sources used a validated knowledge assessment tool. Knowledge was assessed using self-assessment, a measurement of correctness, or both. Women learnt about SRH through a range of sources, including healthcare providers, peers, family, internet, and school. Enablers and barriers spanned information content, delivery, timing, accessibility, interactions with those providing information, cultural and gendered norms, pre-migration experiences, and functional health literacy. Nine sources reported on interventions to facilitate SRH knowledge. CONCLUSIONS This review identified topics, population groups, and gaps in assessment of SRH knowledge of women in Australia. Overall, the measurement of women's SRH knowledge is largely conducted using unvalidated tools focusing on specific topics. SO WHAT?: It is recommended a validated tool be developed to comprehensively assess the SRH knowledge of women in Australia allowing for intersectional population analysis and exploration of knowledge conceptualisation. This would enable assessment of interventions aiming to improve SRH knowledge thereby facilitating improved health literacy and outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Williams
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Nursing, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Georgia Griffin
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Megan Wall
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Zoe Bradfield
- Department of Nursing and Midwifery Education and Research, King Edward Memorial Hospital, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Nursing, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
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Brener L, Vu HMK, Horwitz R, Cama E, Martin K, Rance J, Okeke S, Bryant J. 'People Like Us Would Have No Clue If the Information Is Online': Exploring Understanding and Sources of Hepatitis B Information Among Vietnamese Australians. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2024:10.1007/s40615-024-02055-4. [PMID: 38918320 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-024-02055-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Socio-cultural and behavioural factors are often not adequately considered in designing health promotion programs for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia. Given that people of Vietnamese background are disproportionately impacted by hepatitis B, the aim of this research was to better understand these factors to inform hepatitis B health promotion messages for the Vietnamese community. Twenty participants (four living with hepatitis B) were interviewed by a Vietnamese-speaking researcher. The interview sessions explored beliefs about health, the body and liver; knowledge and attitudes about hepatitis B vaccines, testing, clinical management and stigma; and sources of health information and value given to information on social media. Participants had a range of understandings of health and hepatitis B which informed their responses to health education and intervention. Participants appeared to have limited knowledge and misconceptions about transmission, prevention, treatment, and management of hepatitis B. Stigma surrounding hepatitis B was apparent, with over half the participants reporting that they distanced themselves from people living with hepatitis B. Participants preferred online information resources for younger people and traditional media in the Vietnamese language for older people. By understanding what Vietnamese people know about hepatitis B and how they access health information, these findings can be used to inform health promotion campaigns using print, media, and radio to ensure wide reach. Knowledge of community specific information is key to reducing the burden of hepatitis B among culturally and linguistically diverse communities and ensuring they are able to access healthcare services for testing, monitoring, and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
| | | | - Robyn Horwitz
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kacey Martin
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Jake Rance
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sylvester Okeke
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Joanne Bryant
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, Australia
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Cama E, Brener L, Broady T, Horwitz R, Jin D, Vu HMK, Wu KOE, Treloar C. Hepatitis B screening and knowledge among Chinese and Vietnamese students in Australia. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299224. [PMID: 38437224 PMCID: PMC10911618 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Research has shown that there are significant gaps in hepatitis B knowledge among migrant communities who are at risk of hepatitis B, such as Chinese and Vietnamese communities. Many students studying within Australia come from countries with high prevalence of hepatitis B. However, there is very little research examining hepatitis B knowledge, screening, or vaccination among university students in Australia or worldwide. The aim of this paper was to measure both levels of and demographic differences in hepatitis B screening and knowledge among Chinese and Vietnamese students in Australia. Online surveys were completed by 112 Chinese- and 95 Vietnamese-identifying students in Australia, measuring knowledge of hepatitis B, engagement in screening and vaccination, and demographic characteristics. Results show that although engagement in screening and vaccination for hepatitis B was high, there were significant gaps in knowledge around transmission of hepatitis B. There were also some key demographic differences in screening and knowledge. For instance, those born in Australia were more likely to have been screened compared to those born Mainland China, Hong Kong, or Vietnam. Chinese students born in Australia had lower levels of knowledge compared to those born in Mainland China or Hong Kong. Among both samples, knowing someone living with hepatitis B was associated with higher levels of knowledge. Findings underscore the need for education-based interventions to address the significant gaps that exist in knowledge around hepatitis B, with a specific need for culturally appropriate resources in a range of languages to cater to the diverse communities who may be at risk of hepatitis B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Robyn Horwitz
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Defeng Jin
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Hoang Minh Khoi Vu
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - K. O. E. Wu
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Bryant J, Smith AKJ, Persson A, Valentine K, Drysdale K, Wallace J, Hamilton M, Newman CE. Logics of control and self-management in narratives of people living with HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B. CULTURE, HEALTH & SEXUALITY 2023; 25:1214-1229. [PMID: 36476229 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2022.2149858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
In Australia, the response to HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B has largely been through the constructed category of 'blood borne viruses' which treats these viruses as an interconnected set of conditions with respect to their mode of transmission. In this paper, we explore how people understand their viral infection, and compare the logics underpinning these different understandings. In-depth interviews were conducted with 61 participants who were either living with a blood borne virus or were the family members of people living with them. Our analysis reveals that the viral infection was often described as 'just a condition that needs to be managed', albeit in potentially exhausting ways. This understanding hinged upon a biomedical logic in which viral invasion was seen as causing illness and in turn necessitating biomedical intervention. In contrast, some participants with hepatitis B presented their infection as a condition unintelligible through Western biomedical logics, defined instead by symptomology - in terms of 'liver disease', and/or 'liver inflammation'. This focus on symptomology calls into question the soundness of prevention and management responses to hepatitis B based in biomedical logics and reveals the extent to which living with a virus involves multiple, sometimes incompatible, cultural logics. The different logics underpinning HIV, hepatitis C and hepatitis B reveal shortcomings of framing these viruses together as a coherent single construct.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanne Bryant
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Asha Persson
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Kerryn Drysdale
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Myra Hamilton
- University of Sydney Business School, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christy E Newman
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Lemoh C, Xiao Y, Tran L, Yussf N, Moro P, Dutertre S, Wallace J. An Intersectional Approach to Hepatitis B. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:4879. [PMID: 36981797 PMCID: PMC10049575 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B is a chronic condition, primarily associated with hepatitis B viral infection in early life. The failure of prevention and appropriate management can lead to subsequent liver cirrhosis and cancer. Hepatitis B most commonly affects people born in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa and their global diasporas. The physical, psychological, and social impacts of hepatitis B are strongly influenced by sex and gender. Inequities in access to timely, sensitive diagnosis and effective management arise from interactions between structural inequalities related to race, ethnicity, Indigenous/settler status, class, and geography. The biomedical response to hepatitis B has led to advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, but many affected communities have explanatory health belief models that differ from that of biomedicine. We argue that an intersectional approach, led by affected people and communities, can integrate biomedicine with the lived experience and social context that give purpose to and shape all personal, communal, clinical, and public health responses to hepatitis B. This approach has the potential to enable a consciously equitable, effective response to the biopsychosocial complexities of hepatitis B, improve the health and wellbeing of people living with hepatitis B, and reduce hepatitis B-associated mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Lemoh
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Yinzong Xiao
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Lien Tran
- Department of Medicine, Melbourne Medical School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
| | - Nafisa Yussf
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Viral Hepatitis, Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
| | - Piergiorgio Moro
- Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
| | - Sophie Dutertre
- Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health, North Richmond Community Health, Richmond, VIC 3121, Australia
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC 3004, Australia
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW 2052, Australia
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Drysdale K, Rance J, Cama E, Treloar C, Mao L. What is known about the care and support provided for an ageing population with lived experience of chronic viral hepatitis as they near end-of-life: A scoping review. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e3775-e3788. [PMID: 36259240 PMCID: PMC10092025 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.14066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2022] [Accepted: 10/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ageing with a chronic hepatitis B (HBV) or hepatitis C (HCV) infection is an emerging public health priority. For people living with chronic viral hepatitis, their disease progression into old age is both underpinned by their existing blood borne virus and the potential emergence of other infectious and non-infectious conditions. These twinned pathways bring additional challenges to the care and support for people as they near end of life. This scoping review sought to examine what is known about the experiences of the end-of-life phase of an increasing population ageing with HBV and HCV in studies conducted in high-income settings and published in peer reviewed literature (2010-2021). In interpreting this literature, we found that challenges in determining the end-of life phase for people with lived experience of HBV or HCV are exacerbated by the conflation of aetiologies into a singular diagnosis of end-stage liver disease. Studies overwhelmingly reported the clinical aspects of end-of-life care (i.e. prognosis assessment and symptom management) with less attention paid to educative aspects (i.e. advance care directives and surrogate decision makers, discussion of treatment options and determining goals of care). Psychosocial interventions (i.e. quality of life beyond symptom management, including emotional/spiritual support and family and bereavement support) received limited attention in the literature, though there was some recognition that psychosocial interventions should be part of end-of-life care provision. Given the focus on the prominent disease presentation of liver cirrhosis and/or end-stage liver disease, the social and cultural dimensions of these infections have received less attention in the literature on end-of-life in the context of chronic viral hepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerryn Drysdale
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Jake Rance
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
| | - Limin Mao
- Centre for Social Research in HealthUNSW SydneySydneyAustralia
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Adjei CA, Stutterheim SE, Bram F, Naab F, Ruiter RAC. Correlates of hepatitis B testing in Ghana: The role of knowledge, stigma endorsement and knowing someone with hepatitis B. HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE IN THE COMMUNITY 2022; 30:e4564-e4573. [PMID: 35701984 PMCID: PMC10083906 DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B testing is the gateway for prevention and care. However, previous studies document low hepatitis B testing uptake in sub-Saharan Africa. This study investigated knowledge, stigma endorsement and knowing someone with hepatitis B as correlates of hepatitis B testing behaviours among people in the Greater Accra and Northern regions of Ghana. A cross-sectional survey was completed by 971 participants (Greater Accra = 503, and Northern region = 468) between October 2018 and January 2019. Approximately 54% of the participants reported having been tested for hepatitis B. The logistic regression analyses showed that having greater hepatitis B knowledge was positively associated with hepatitis B testing (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.14-1.30). Higher hepatitis B stigma endorsement was negatively related to hepatitis B testing (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.99). Also, participants who knew someone (i.e. parent, sibling and/or friend) with hepatitis B were more likely to have tested compared to those who did not know someone with hepatitis B (OR = 7.15, 95% CI: 5.04-10.14). This study demonstrates that knowing someone with hepatitis B increases the likelihood of testing, highlighting the need to create safe and non-judgmental contexts for people with hepatitis B (PWHB) to disclose if they want to. Also, given that greater hepatitis B knowledge increases testing and hepatitis B stigma endorsement impedes testing, interventions that increase knowledge and reduce stigma should be incorporated in efforts to promote testing in Ghana.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sarah E. Stutterheim
- Department of Health PromotionCare and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Fleuren Bram
- Department of Work and Social PsychologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
| | - Florence Naab
- Department of Maternal and Child HealthUniversity of GhanaAccraGhana
| | - Robert A. C. Ruiter
- Department of Work and Social PsychologyMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtThe Netherlands
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Tout I, Loureiro D, Asselah T. The Changing Demographics of Hepatitis B Virus Infection. Clin Liver Dis 2021; 25:673-687. [PMID: 34593147 DOI: 10.1016/j.cld.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Hepatitis B virus infection remains a global public health problem with changing epidemiology due to several factors including vaccination policies and migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Issam Tout
- Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, 16 rue Henri Huchard, F-75018 Paris, France; Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du Général Leclerc, F-92110 Clichy, France
| | - Dimitri Loureiro
- Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, 16 rue Henri Huchard, F-75018 Paris, France; Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du Général Leclerc, F-92110 Clichy, France
| | - Tarik Asselah
- Université de Paris, Centre de Recherche sur l'inflammation, Inserm U1149, CNRS ERL8252, 16 rue Henri Huchard, F-75018 Paris, France; Department of Hepatology, AP-HP, Hôpital Beaujon, 100 boulevard du Général Leclerc, F-92110 Clichy, France.
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Xiao Y, Wallace J, Ahad M, van Gemert C, Thompson AJ, Doyle J, Lam HY, Chan K, Bennett G, Adamson E, Yussf N, Tang A, Pedrana A, Stoove M, Hellard M, Howell J. Assessing the feasibility, acceptability and impacts of an education program on hepatitis B testing uptake among ethnic Chinese in Australia: results of a randomised controlled pilot study. BMC Public Health 2021; 21:1861. [PMID: 34654385 PMCID: PMC8518279 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-11916-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Australia, Chinese migrants are among the populations most affected by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection but often experience late diagnosis or access to clinical care. This study aims to explore approaches to increase HBV testing in Australia's Chinese community and inform evaluation planning, specifically to i) assess the feasibility and acceptability of HBV educational programs, and ii) compare HBV testing uptake in people receiving a tailored education resource focussing on liver cancer prevention compared with a standard HBV education package. METHODS This is a pre-post mixed-methods pilot and feasibility study. People of Chinese ethnicity and unsure of their HBV infection or immunity status were recruited from ten community sites in Melbourne, Australia in 2019-2020. Participants were randomised to receive an education package (comprised of a leaflet and in-person one-on-one educational session) with a focus on either 1) standard HBV-related information, or 2) liver cancer prevention. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire prior to receiving the intervention and were followed up at 6 months' time for a questionnaire and an opt-in semi-structured interview. Primary study outcomes included feasibility of study procedures, measured by recruitment, participation, and retention rates; acceptability of the education program assessed by acceptability scores; and HBV testing uptake rate in each arm. Secondary outcomes include HBV-related knowledge change, assessed by pre-post comparison; and factors affecting participants' testing behaviour analysed using qualitative data. RESULTS Fifty-four participants received an education package; baseline and follow-up data from 33 (61%) were available. The study procedures of recruitment and retention were feasible; the acceptability of the education program was moderate with improved HBV-related knowledge observed. Four participants self-reported being tested: one (1/15, 7%) in the standard HBV information group and three (3/18, 17%) in the liver cancer prevention information group. Factors identified as affecting testing included perceived relevance and seriousness of HBV, healthcare access and costs of testing, and perceptions of the role of primary care providers in HBV-related care. CONCLUSION A tailored education program targeting ethnic Chinese in Australia was feasible with moderate acceptability. A larger study is required to determine if a liver cancer prevention message would improve HBV testing uptake in Chinese community than standard HBV education message. Supports from healthcare providers, community-based testing programs, and public health education programs are likely needed to motivate diagnostic testing among Chinese people at risk of HBV infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinzong Xiao
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Jack Wallace
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, 3086, Australia
- Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia, Kensington, New South Wales, 2052, Australia
| | - Marvad Ahad
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Caroline van Gemert
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Alexander J Thompson
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia
| | - Joseph Doyle
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Ho Yin Lam
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Kico Chan
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Gabrielle Bennett
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia
| | - Emily Adamson
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Nafisa Yussf
- Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia
| | - Aurora Tang
- Hepatitis Victoria, North Melbourne, Victoria, 3051, Australia
| | - Alisa Pedrana
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Mark Stoove
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The Alfred and Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia.
| | - Jessica Howell
- Burnet Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
- Department of Gastroenterology, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy, Victoria, 3065, Australia.
- University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.
- School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, 3004, Australia.
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11
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Brener L, Cama E, Broady T, Hopwood M, Treloar C. Comparing Australian health worker and student attitudes and concerns about providing care to people living with hepatitis B. Health Promot J Austr 2021; 33:282-288. [PMID: 33687771 DOI: 10.1002/hpja.475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
ISSUE ADDRESSED Hepatitis B (HBV) is a major public health issue with over 250 million people chronically infected worldwide. In Australia, prevalence is higher among migrant communities and these groups may be reticent to attend health care services due to concerns about experiencing stigma and discrimination. The way health workers perceive their clients, particularly those of migrant backgrounds, may influence the way they treat these clients and the quality of care provided. This study investigated and compared the attitudes and concerns health workers and health students have towards working with clients living with HBV. METHODS Health workers (n = 551) and students (n = 199) completed an online survey which investigated attitudes towards people living with HBV, comfort with providing care for these clients and concerns they have about working with them. RESULTS Health students expressed less comfort (U = 47 611, z = -2.73, P = .006) and reported more concerns about working with people with HBV than qualified health workers (U = 61611.50, z = 2.64, P = .008). Students' concerns were centred around their own ability to provide care rather than issues related to clients. There were no differences in overall attitudes towards people living with HBV between health workers and students. CONCLUSION To address concerns that health workers and students may have in working with people living with HBV, particularly those from migrant communities, and to ensure that health workers feel comfortable and confident, HBV workforce development should be included in undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes as well as in continuing professional education. SO WHAT?: This will assist the health workforce to develop competency in the treatment of people living with HBV, with the ultimate aim of providing best quality, non-judgemental care to all people living with HBV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loren Brener
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Elena Cama
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim Broady
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Max Hopwood
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Carla Treloar
- Centre for Social Research in Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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