Hepatology, Medicine and Policy Journal Publishes Findings from Hepatitis B Foundation 'Gateway to Care' Campaign in China

    DOLYLESTOWN, PA, May 21, 2016 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The journal Hepatology, Medicine and Policy has published a paper submitted by the Hepatitis B Foundation that details the hepatitis B-related knowledge, attitudes and practices in Haimen City, China, after the completion of a three-year citywide public health education campaign, "Gateway to Care."

The Hepatitis B Foundation led a comprehensive campaign that targeted city residents, health care providers and individuals chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (HBV) in Haimen City, China.

The article, "Hepatitis B knowledge among key stakeholders in Haimen City, China: Implications for addressing chronic HBV infection," has been published online by BioMed Central.

The results of the Gateway to Care campaign indicate high levels of hepatitis B knowledge among multiple stakeholders in Haimen City, with significant knowledge improvement among health care providers. Stigma-related beliefs and myths regarding separation of infected individuals from certain aspects of family life were common among all stakeholder groups, despite high levels of accurate knowledge about hepatitis B transmission and prevention. Self-report of hepatitis B screening was low among city residents, as was awareness of hepatitis B treatment.

The article concludes that more efforts are needed to improve awareness of HBV treatment, decrease HBV-related stigma, improve screening rates, and reduce the cost of antiviral treatment. Future interventions in Haimen City should be driven by behavioral change theory, to not only improve knowledge but also to improve screening behaviors and address hepatitis B-related stigma and discrimination.

Co-authors of the article include:
• Alison A. Evans, Drexel University School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA; Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA
• Chari Cohen, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA
• Gang Chen, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA
• Joan Block, Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA
• Peixin Huang, Haimen City Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Haimen City, China
• W. Thomas London, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA; Hepatitis B Foundation, Doylestown, PA

This campaign was funded in part by an educational grant from the Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation and the Haimen City Center for Disease Control.

Hepatology, Medicine and Policy publishes articles on the prevention and management of viral and non-viral hepatitis and other liver disorders, including articles on the public health, policy and biomedical dimensions of these conditions. Hepatology, Medicine and Policy is affiliated with the World Hepatitis Alliance, a global network of hepatitis patient organizations.

About the Hepatitis B Foundation: The Hepatitis B Foundation is the nation's leading nonprofit organization solely dedicated to finding a cure for hepatitis B and improving the quality of life for those affected worldwide through research, education and patient advocacy. To learn more, go to http://www.hepb.org, read our blog at http://wp.hepb.org, follow us on Twitter @HepBFoundation, find us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hepbfoundation or call 215-489-4900.

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