Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Viral infections such as hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are major risk factors of liver cancer, and smoking may modify this risk. This study aimed to quantitively assess differences in awareness of HBV and HCV as cancer risk factors by smoking status among U.S. adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS 7) with N = 5860. Awareness was categorized as "yes" versus "no," "not sure," or "never heard." Differences in awareness of HBV or HCV as cancer risk factors by smoking status were examined univariately using survey-weighted chi-square tests, as well as using weighted logistic regression models adjusting for demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Awareness of HBV as a cancer risk factor was low and did not differ significantly by smoking status (current smokers, 17.2%; former smokers, 18.7%; non-smokers, 18.0%; p = 0.88). Similarly, HCV awareness was 16.7%, 16.9%, and 16.7%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, smoking was not significantly associated with awareness of HBV (p = 0.13) or HCV (p = 0.36). CONCLUSIONS: Awareness of viral hepatitis as a cancer risk factor remains low regardless of smoking status, underscoring the need for improved public health education, vaccination, and screening.