Immigration Factors and Monitoring of Chronic Hepatitis B Infection Among Foreign-Born: The FOCUS-HBV Multicentre...

Immigrants are the largest subgroup living with chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection in the United States. It is not well understood how immigration and associated social and cultural factors impact adherence to HBV monitoring.

We conducted a multicentre multilingual survey among foreign-born adults with chronic HBV between 7/2021 and 4/2023. Participants were surveyed regarding (1) immigration factors, (2) acculturation and language preferences, (3) social determinants of health and (4) HBV-related clinical factors. The primary outcome was optimal adherence, defined as 100% of the time with at least annual testing of HBV DNA, ALT and ultrasound while under care. Logistic regression was used to examine survey factors associated with the outcome.

Two hundred and seventy-four foreign-born patients with HBV (median 57 years, 57% male) from 32 birth countries were included. Thirteen per cent had immigrated within the past 10 years, and 62% were US citizens. Nearly all (92%) reported seeing a specialist for HBV, with 72% currently on treatment. 44% of participants had optimal adherence to monitoring over a median of 6 years (2-7) under care. Factors associated with more optimal adherence on multivariate testing included non-English survey language (OR 2.32, 95% CI 1.15-4.66), non-US citizens (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.01-4.15) and higher education (college vs. high school or less: OR 2.39, 95% CI 1.09-5.24). Medicare insurance (vs. private) was associated with less optimal adherence (OR 0.42, 95% CI 0.19-0.94).

Adherence to long-term monitoring is suboptimal among a diverse cohort of immigrants with chronic HBV. More efforts to engage and retain immigrants in care are needed.