P-0369
Multiple failures: addressing the barriers to hepatitis B treatment
in China
Jack Wallace1, Marian Pitts1, Chaojie (George) Liu2, Vivian Lin3,
Behzad Hajarizadeh1, Stephen Locarnini5, Jacqui Richmond1,
Lai Wei4
1Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe
University, Melbourne, Australia; 2China Health Program, La Trobe
University, Melbourne, Australia; 3Department of Public Health, La
Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia; 4Peking University People’s
Hospital, Beijing, China; 5Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference
Laboratory, Melbourne, Australia
China has the largest absolute number of people in the world infected
with hepatitis B. While hepatitis B treatments are effective in
reducing disease progression, only a small minority of people with
hepatitis B in China access these treatments. This project aimed to
identify the systematic barriers to hepatitis B treatment by documenting
the personal impact of the infection. The study used a
qualitative methodology with people with chronic viral hepatitis in
four Chinese cities during April 2014 and other key service providers,
with interview data systematically reviewed to identify key issues,
concepts and themes. Participants identified multiple barriers to
treatment and treatment services. These are framed by non-systematic
diagnosis processes where testing occurs through educational institutions
or workplaces by staff without health expertise leading to a
poor or incomplete understanding of the infection. While most participants
monitored their infection, treatment choices were determined
by economic access with the lack of public funding for treatments
having a substantial individual, social and economic impact, particularly
when several family members are affected by viral hepatitis.
Treatment compliance was affected by economic issues and lack of
information and knowledge. Issues of disclosure were noted by many
participants particularly in the context of intimate relationships and
within workplaces, with the fear of disclosure often limiting career
and treatment choices. Hepatitis B treatments are only useful when
people with hepatitis B access these treatment. Identification of the
barriers to treatment and treatment services provides government and
other service providers with guidance for improving treatment access. 作者: StephenW 时间: 2016-2-17 14:43