Tobacco knowledge and beliefs in Chinese American men.

BACKGROUND: Chinese American men have relatively high smoking rates. However, there are limited data about the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of this racial/ethnic group. METHODS: We conducted a community-based telephone survey in Seattle, Washington during 2004. Households were identified by applying a previously validated list of Chinese last names to an electronic version of the Seattle telephone book. Interviews were completed in Cantonese, Mandarin, or English. Survey items addressed tobacco knowledge, cultural beliefs, and practices. RESULTS: The study sample included 168 Chinese American men. Current, former, and never smoking rates were 22%, 42%, and 36%, respectively. Current smokers were less likely to be proficient in English than never smokers, and were less likely to have a regular doctor than former smokers. They also had lower levels of knowledge about the health effects of tobacco, and were more likely to have traditional Chinese cultural beliefs about tobacco use than non-smokers. CONCLUSION: Tobacco use continues to be a public health problem among Chinese American men. Smoking cessation programs should target men with limited English proficiency and those without a regular source of health care. Educational materials should specifically address the negative health effects of smoking. They should also both acknowledge and address Chinese cultural beliefs about tobacco use.

Hepatitis B knowledge and practices among Chinese immigrants to the United States.

INTRODUCTION: Chinese immigrants to the United States experience high rates of liver cancer. Chronic carriage of hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the most common underlying cause of liver cancer among Chinese Americans. Our objective was to describe Chinese immigrants' hepatitis B knowledge, testing, and vaccination levels. METHODS: A community-based, in-person survey of Chinese men and women was conducted in Seattle during 2005. Our study sample included 395 individuals. RESULTS: Less than one-half (48%) of our study group indicated they had received a hepatitis B blood test, and about one-third (31%) indicated they had been vaccinated against hepatitis B. The proportions of respondents who knew HBV can be spread during childbirth, during sexual intercourse, and by sharing razors were 70%, 54%, and 55%, respectively. Less than one-quarter of the study group knew that HBV cannot be spread by eating food that was prepared by an infected person (23%) and by sharing eating utensils with an infected person (16%). DISCUSSION: Over 50% of our respondents did not recall being tested for HBV. Important knowledge deficits about routes of hepatitis B transmission were identified. Continued efforts should be made to develop and implement hepatitis B educational campaigns for Chinese immigrant communities.