Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Regarding Hepatitis B and Liver Cancer Among Liver Cancer Patients and Their...

This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of liver cancer patients and their family members regarding hepatitis B and liver cancer in hospitals in central and western China.

A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted on liver cancer patients and their families between February 2023 and August 2024. Data were collected using a validated, self-developed questionnaire.

A total of 810 valid questionnaires were analyzed, with 432 (53.33%) respondents being family members. The mean scores for knowledge, attitude, and practice were 7.19 ± 3.68, 43.71 ± 4.30, and 39.93 ± 6.06, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression identified education (OR = 3.009 for high school/technical school; OR = 6.771 for associate degree or above), hepatitis B diagnosis (OR = 1.530), and duration of liver cancer diagnosis (OR=1.690) as significant predictors of knowledge scores. Positive attitudes were linked to higher knowledge scores (OR=1.212), high school/technical school education (OR=1.831), and a monthly per capita income of 10,000-20,000 Yuan (OR=2.964). For practices, predictors included higher knowledge scores (OR=1.067), higher attitude scores (OR=1.241), non-disclosure of income (OR=3.311), current alcohol consumption (OR=0.303), and diabetes (OR=2.175).

Liver cancer patients and their family members demonstrated inadequate knowledge but relatively positive attitudes and proactive practices regarding hepatitis B and liver cancer in hospitals in central and western China. This knowledge-practice gap may reflect cultural norms, family support, or public health campaigns, yet improving knowledge remains essential to sustain positive behaviors. Targeted educational interventions should therefore be integrated into clinical and community care. In particular, future interventions should be tailored to address urban-rural disparities and to actively involve family members in supporting patients. These findings provide practical implications for enhancing health literacy, guiding policymaking, and improving counseling strategies to strengthen disease management and prevention.