Chinese Americans are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) than their white counterparts. About 80% of HCC's among Asian immigrants are associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. We used data from in-person interviews of Chinese residents in Seattle to examine factors associated with HBV testing. The survey was completed by 206 men and 236 women (cooperation rate: 58%). Less than one-half (48%) of respondents had been tested for HBV. Factors associated (p < 0.01) with ever having tested in bivariate comparisons included knowing that Chinese are more likely to be infected with HBV than Whites; individuals can be infected with HBV for life; HBV infection can cause liver cancer; not believing that HBV can be prevented by having a positive attitude; having a family member, friend, or medical doctor recommend testing; asking for testing from a medical doctor; and not needing interpreter services. In multiple regression analyses, the following factors were independently associated with testing: believing that Chinese were more likely than Whites to get HBV (p = 0.004), having a doctor recommend testing (p = 0.001), asking a doctor for the test (p < 0.001) and not needing an interpreter for doctors visits (p = 0.002). Intervention programs to improve HBV testing rates in Chinese Americans should include strategies to improve knowledge about the risk of HBV and encourage effective communication with health care providers about HBV testing.
Objectives-We conducted a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a cervical cancer control intervention for Vietnamese women.Methods-The study group included 234 women who had not received a Pap test in the last three years. Experimental group participants received a lay health worker home visit. Our trial end-point was Pap smear receipt within six months of randomization. Pap testing completion was ascertained through women's self-reports and medical record reviews. We examined intervention effects among women who had ever received a Pap smear (prior to randomization) and women who had never received a Pap smear.Results-Three-quarters of the experimental group women completed a home visit. Ever screened experimental group women were significantly more likely to report Pap testing (p<0.02) and have records verified Pap testing (p<0.04) than ever screened control group women. There were no significant differences between the trial arms for women who had never been screened.Conclusions-Our findings indicate that lay health worker interventions for Vietnamese women are feasible to implement and can positively impact levels of Pap testing use among ever screened women (but not never screened women).
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