The problem, however, is compounded by the fact that very few hepatitis B patients are aware that they are infected.
A study made by a research group called Synovate Healthcare revealed that most patients suffering from chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in Asia initially did not suspect that they were infected.
The same study conducted in the Philippines from November to December 2004 also showed similar results: most CHB patients were not aware that they were carriers of the virus.
Most of them found out about the virus "by chance" through a blood test, not knowing that diagnosis of the hepatitis B virus is best made through a simple blood test. Some said they discovered the presence of the virus when they had their routine medical checkup.
Another key finding of the survey showed CHB patients have a poor understanding of the disease. Most of these patients declared knowledge of the theoretical and general causes of hepatitis B only.
However, a relatively higher number said they do not know how the disease actually develops. Apparently, this particular discovery of patient knowledge also holds true across Asia.
The respondents in the Philippine survey expressed initial shock upon finding out that they were infected, giving them deep concern about their condition. This concern was more on possibly infecting others, social stigma, and career threats.
Overall, social stigma about the disease is more prevalent in the Philippines than in other Asian countries. However, this concern eventually turns into a positive outlook after diagnosis has been made.
Despite the lack of awareness, the CHB patients gave their doctors high ratings of satisfaction in terms of consultation, additional education about CHB, and treatment care. Consequently, they rely on their doctors to make treatment decisions for them.
This year, key medical societies –the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver (APASL), Philippine Society of Gastroenterology (PSG), Hepatology Society of the Philippines (HSP), Philippine Cancer Society (PCS), Philippine Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (PASLD), and Philippine Foundation for Vaccination (PFV) – endeavor to provide updated information about the illness as part of their advocacy to build awareness not only among CHB patients but within the medical community as well.
As an initial salvo of this campaign, the First Hepatitis B Summit will be held on Feb. 22 at the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City.
All doctors are encouraged to participate in this first-of-a-kind event for CHB. For registration and further information, interested parties may call the HepB hotline 892-1782.
During the summit, key issues will be discussed, including difficulty in surfacing patients due to lack of awareness; low adoption of preventive vaccination; treatment paradigm of non-specialist doctors; opportunity to surface new prescribers; and other relevant topics surrounding CHB in the Philippines.
Workshops and discussions are expected to benefit all doctors who will attend the summit.