A majority of Chinese physicians do not have adequate knowledge of hepatitis B and ways to treat or prevent the life-threatening viral infection.

That's the alarming finding of a survey on the prevalence, treatment and cost of treating the disease in China as well as the stigma attached to it.

Of 290 doctors specialising in infectious diseases, each with an average medical experience of 11.49 years, only two thirds (67.6 percent) were fully aware of hepatitis treatment procedures.

Four in five (80.8 percent) of 334 doctors not specialising in infectious diseases thought hepatitis B was congenital and could not be effectively prevented - both of which are wrong notions, according to an expert.

Vaccination has proved to be an effective way to stop the spread of hepatitis A and B.

Apart from the doctors, the survey by the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control and Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, covered 583 hepatitis patients from 18 provinces, municipalities and regions. Some of the survey's findings were released yesterday in Beijing.

The country has about 120 million chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus, which may lead to a chronic inflammation of the liver, leading to cirrhosis and a greatly increased chance of developing liver cancer.

Immunization against hepatitis B is routinely recommended for foreigners visiting China, especially those who may have intimate contact with local residents and plan to visit for more than six months.

Hepatitis B is mainly transmitted through exposure to bodily fluids containing the virus. This includes unprotected sex, blood transfusions, re-use of contaminated needles and syringes, and during childbirth.

Up to 40 percent of unimmunized sexual partners of individuals with hepatitis B are likely to be infected through sexual contact, according to scientific reports.

Patients who responded to the survey seemed to be most concerned about the high cost of treatment and the discrimination they face in society. A quarter said they had to borrow to foot the treatment bill. About 95 cent have an annual income of less than 20,000 yuan (US$2,470).

Chronic hepatitis B patients have to pay much more than those who have hepatitis A or C, which are far less prevalent.

"Medical insurance should be expanded to relieve the patients' economic plight," said Jia Jidong, a professor and director of the Hepatitis Research Centre of Beijing Friendship Hospital, who was involved in the survey.

Also, more than half, or 52.2 percent, of respondents said they faced discrimination in employment and education.

Even though the health and personnel ministries earlier this year announced that hepatitis B carriers would no longer be barred from work for governments, Jia believes sufferers are still shunned by the private sector and educational institutions.

Since 1997, viral hepatitis has been the top infectious disease in China.

(China Daily September 29, 2005)