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Torres Strait Islanders' understandings of chronic hepatitis B and attitudes to treatment.
- Source :
- Australian Journal of Primary Health; 2016, Vol. 22 Issue 4, p316-319, 4p
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Indigenous Australians are disproportionally affected by hepatitis B compared with non-Indigenous Australians. The higher prevalence of hepatitis B among Indigenous Australians has been linked to an increased incidence of liver cancer in this population. There is evidence that comprehensive programs of hepatitis B virus management, which include liver cancer surveillance and appropriate antiviral therapy, offer a cost-effective approach to reduce the incidence of liver cancer in Australia. This paper reports on data from the first study investigating understandings of hepatitis B and attitudes to treatment among Torres Strait Islanders living with chronic hepatitis B. Forty-two participants completed an interview questionnaire. Participants typically had an unclear understanding of hepatitisBand reported significant gaps in monitoring and follow up. A majority of participants indicated a willingness to use treatment if required. The findings of this study suggest the need for a new service delivery model that is appropriate to remote communities such as the Torres Strait Islands, to improve hepatitis B follow up, disease monitoring and management, and where appropriate, the uptake of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14487527
- Volume :
- 22
- Issue :
- 4
- Database :
- Complementary Index
- Journal :
- Australian Journal of Primary Health
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 117971848
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1071/PY14130