Hepatitis B Knowledge, Attitudes and Mistrust in Western Medicine Among People of Filipino Ethnicity in Australia

Abstract

Hepatitis B is highly prevalent among migrant communities from endemic regions, with an estimated 70% of Australians living with chronic hepatitis B having been born overseas. Research suggests that there are significant gaps in hepatitis B knowledge which may contribute to unsatisfactory preventive and testing practices. There has been little research on hepatitis B knowledge among people of Filipino ethnicity in Australia, despite one in 10 people in the Philippines thought to be living with chronic hepatitis B. The study aims to assess hepatitis B knowledge, attitudes and mistrust in Western medicine among a sample of people of Filipino ethnicity living in Australia, focusing on country of birth to establish whether there are differences between those born in Australia compared with those born in the Philippines on the key variables of interest. Online and hard copy surveys were completed by 576 Filipino adults living in Australia, measuring knowledge of hepatitis B, attitudes, mistrust in Western medicine and demographic characteristics. There were significant gaps in knowledge, with participants born in Australia having significantly less knowledge of hepatitis B than those born in the Philippines. Participants born in Australia also had significantly more negative attitudes towards people living with hepatitis B and significantly more mistrust in Western medicine than those born in the Philippines. These findings highlight the need for improving access to healthcare for migrant populations and improving trust in Western medicine through a multifaceted approach that addresses barriers to care, focuses on the needs of different generations of migrants and builds positive trusting relationships between healthcare providers and migrant communities.