Domingo, J.R., Yoo, G.J., Henne, J., Shiau, R., Sanchez, M.A. / Californian Journal of Health Promotion 2016, Volume 10, Issue 3, 15-25. 15 HBV Testing and Vaccinations among Asian and Pacific Islander Patients: Understanding the Impact of the San Francisco Hepatitis B Free Campaign on Physician Awareness Joseph R. Domingo 1 , Grace J. Yoo 1 , Jeff Henne 2 , Rita Shiau 3 , and Melissa A. Sanchez 4 1 San Francisco State University 2 The Henne Group 3 Alameda County Public Health Department 4 San Francisco Department of Public Health Abstract Background and Significance: One in 12 Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) are infected with hepatitis B (HBV). APIs represent one-third of the population in San Francisco. San Francisco Hep B Free (SFHBF), a citywide collaboration, works to educate physicians and the community on the importance of hepatitis B among APIs through increasing awareness, education and the availability of screening and vaccinations. The purpose of this paper was to qualitatively assess the perceived impact of SFHBF on the awareness and attitudes of physicians regarding screening and vaccination of APIs. Methods: Twenty physicians (n=20) participated in key informant interviews about HBV awareness and involvement with SFHBF. The questions focused on physician attitudes and practice towards HBV screening, vaccination and follow-up care, communication with patients about HBV, and awareness and effectiveness of the SFHBF outreach efforts. Results: Findings highlighted SFHBF’s impact on physicians’ sensitivity and awareness. Overall, physicians were increasing their HBV screening and vaccination rates among their API patients. Physicians noted the need for continual support to prioritize HBV screening and vaccination among their API patients. Conclusion: The findings of this study are important for understanding the impact of public health campaigns on physician attitudes and practices regarding HBV education, screening, and vaccinations among their API patients. © 2016 Californian Journal of Health Promotion. All rights reserved. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Physician Behavior Change, Asian American and Pacific Islander, CME, Medical Training Introduction Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and its sequelae – cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and death – disproportionately affect Asian/Pacific Islander (API) populations in San Francisco, as well as throughout the United States (CDC, 2009). Although APIs comprise only 4.5% of the U.S. population (US Census, 2010), they account for more than 50% of Americans who are living with chronic HBV infection (Altekruse, McGlynn, & Reichman, 2009) with the highest occurrence of HCC occurring in APIs who have immigrated to the U.S. (CDC, 2009). The city of San Francisco has a higher density of APIs than any other U.S. city. APIs represent 32% of the city’s population of just over 800,000, many of whom are foreign-born, with the majority of foreign-born residents coming from areas with high (>8%) and intermediate (2-7%) prevalence levels for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) (San Francisco Department of Public Health, 2010). APIs in San Francisco are disproportionately affected by HBV, as they represented an estimated 88% of newly reported cases to the SFDPH in 2010 (San Francisco Department of Public Health, 2010). Currently, San Francisco has the highest rate of liver cancer in the U.S. Given that APIs bear the largest burden of chronic HBV infection in San Francisco, there is a great need to provide culturally and linguistically appropriate education about HBV prevention throughout the