• Annie Preston-Thomas, Patricia Fagan, Yoko Nakata, and Elayne Anderson.
• Cairns Public Health Unit, Tropical Regional Services, Department of the Chief Health Officer, Cairns, Queensland. annie_preston-thomas@health.qld.gov.au
• Aust Fam Physician. 2013 Apr 1; 42 (4): 225-31.

BackgroundChronic hepatitis B (CHB) disproportionately affects Indigenous Australians. This article reports the findings of two studies in the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area (T&NPA) of Queensland in Australia. The aim of the first study was to assess CHB care delivery, the second assessed CHB patient knowledge about the condition.MethodsA pathology database search (1997-2009) identified a cohort of potential CHB patients in T&NPA. A file audit assessed care delivery for a random sample of 83 CHB patients. A survey assessed knowledge of 42 CHB patients.ResultsA total of 365 hepatitis B positive patients were identified. There are gaps in patient review, monitoring, follow up and specialist referral. Patients had limited knowledge about CHB and measures to reduce its health impact.DiscussionChronic hepatitis B affects a substantial number of Indigenous adults in the T&NPA. There is limited adherence to clinical guidelines. Improved uptake of clinical guidelines adapted for remote areas, incorporation of CHB into systematic chronic disease care, and culturally appropriate patient education resources and programs are needed.

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