The Role of Culturally Appropriate Mediated Communication Strategies to Reduce Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Disparities

Abstract

Asian, Pacific Islander, African, and Caribbean communities in the U.S. are heavily impacted by chronic hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Educating these groups about the link between the two diseases is imperative to improve screening rates and health outcomes. This study aims to identify and incorporate preferred mediated communication methods into community-specific educational campaigns which emphasize the connection between the conditions, to promote uptake of prevention and management behaviors for HBV and HCC. Fifteen focus groups and two key informant interviews were conducted with Micronesian, Chinese, Hmong, Nigerian, Ghanaian, Vietnamese, Korean, Somali, Ethiopian, Filipino, Haitian, and Francophone West African communities. Data were analyzed using thematic coding and analysis. Findings demonstrate that all communities preferred materials be offered in both English and native languages and requested that materials highlight the connection between HBV and HCC. Delivery channel preferences and messaging themes varied by group. This study provides insight into community-specific preferences for learning about HBV and HCC. The findings can be used to design culturally and linguistically tailored, multi-platform, health education campaigns to facilitate improved HBV screening and vaccination rates and increase knowledge about HCC risk among highly impacted communities in the U.S.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the advisory committee for their guidance and expertise; the focus group leaders for their expertise and assistance; and all who participated in this study.

Disclosure Statement

The Hepatitis B Foundation receives public health program and research grants from BMS, GSK, Gilead Sciences and VBI Vaccines. Chari Cohen serves on a patient/advocacy advisory committee for GSK and Gilead Sciences, with funds being distributed to the Hepatitis B Foundation. Beatrice Zovich has also served on an advisory committee for Gilead for which she was financially compensated.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article; further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Bristol Myers Squibb under Grant #65080979, Addressing Liver Cancer Disparities Among Asian American, Pacific Islander and African Immigrant Communities in the U.S.; and through general operating funds of the Hepatitis B Foundation. This study received ethics approval through Heartland IRB (HIRB project No. 329-062421).