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Hepatitis B Among African Immigrants
My Take on Hepatitis B Challenges in the African Immigrant Community

Released: April 28, 2026

Bright Ansah
Bright Ansah
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Key Takeaways
  • The African immigrant community faces unique challenges to accessing care: Language barriers, difficulties navigating the healthcare system, discordant cultural beliefs, and lack of knowledge on the disease and potential complications.

More than a decade ago, I incidentally found out that I was a chronic hepatitis B carrier. At the time, I was shocked and felt sorry for myself. As an immigrant in a new country, with no family support, these were among the most challenging times of my life.

My diagnosis changed me as a person. Every immigrant comes to America with big dreams of working hard, earning a good living, attending school, and supporting their families. My diagnosis robbed me of some of these dreams.

Language Barriers
In the African immigrant community, English is a second language for many. For some, being in America is the first time they have ever spoken English. They now have to navigate a new country and a language different from what they know and understand. This becomes a barrier for many seeking care and treatment. Patients in this community face steep language challenges, which cause some to stop seeking care or drop out of care.

Speaking a language is one thing; comprehending it is another. The use of medical jargon instead of plain language creates an extra barrier; some patients are unable to understand what is being said or asked. I was lucky because I was fluent in English before emigrating to the United States, so although I struggled at times to comprehend American English, it was not as difficult as what some other African immigrants go through.

Difficulty Navigating the Healthcare System
Lack of health insurance is another barrier for this population. I lost my insurance after my diagnosis, so I went almost 2 years without insurance, medical care, or follow-up. This could have ended badly for me if my condition had changed or worsened; there was no way to catch it. My experience is similar to that of some patients in the African immigrant community. They may not seek care and treatment because they have no health insurance and no means to pay for care out of pocket, which can be costly.

Navigating the US healthcare system is challenging for many native-born Americans, so imagine how difficult it can be for someone who barely speaks or understands English and knows little about the complexity of the nation's healthcare system. This poses a challenge for many patients with hepatitis B in the African immigrant population.

Cultural Beliefs
Even when access to care is not an issue, there is distrust of Western medicine among some in this community. This distrust stems from past experiences and history. It also stems from denigrating commentary in the West regarding traditional African medicine. Some immigrants from Africa seek traditional care for almost all their health problems, and being presented with something different can be difficult to accept. Many will try traditional medicine first before seeking Western treatment for an ailment. This is because that is all they have known and it is part of our culture and upbringing. We are exposed to this as children. This is something that community members consider when deciding whether to seek treatment and care.

Myths and Misconceptions
There are some myths and misconceptions about hepatitis B in the African immigrant community, which stems from the misunderstandings surrounding hepatitis B that contribute to stigma. Some people believe that because hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually, it means patients living with the disease might have been promiscuous. This is inaccurate. Although hepatitis B can be transmitted sexually, the majority of patients become infected at birth via vertical transmission.

Another misconception is that anyone with hepatitis B is either cursed or punished by God for their sins or the evil acts they may have committed.

Some patients may not be concerned with preventing hepatitis B infection or seeking treatment early because they mistakenly believe it can be cured, and that people who are receiving current treatments will be cured.

Myths and misconceptions about hepatitis B stem from misunderstanding, misinformation, and negative perceptions about the disease. Increased education and awareness could help dispel some of the myths and misconceptions about hepatitis B.

Lack of Disease Knowledge Among Some Patients and Providers
Some patients and providers do not understand the serious health problems that hepatitis B poses. This is reflected in a lack of insight into which tests providers must order or how to interpret the results.

When I was diagnosed, I had only basic knowledge of the virus that causes the disease. I took time to research and learn as much as I could. This was helpful because it reduced my anxiety and depression as I became aware of what hepatitis B can do if left unmanaged. I have taken this disease seriously, which has led to my adherence to care.

If people lack this knowledge and understanding, adherence to care can falter, and falling out of treatment and care can result. This leads to worse health outcomes for patients.

Living with hepatitis B is difficult, and navigating some of these barriers makes seeking treatment and care extremely challenging. We must find ways to reduce these barriers for patients in the African immigrant community.

Your Thoughts
What are some strategies you are using in your clinical practice right now to facilitate healthcare access to immigrant populations? Leave a comment to join the discussion!

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