Comment:
The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in China has increased by 60% between 2000 and 2018. This trend is expected to intensify during the next decade. Chinese young adults (CYA) will thus be disproportionately burdened by NAFLD and its potential progression into hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Awareness of NAFLD’s characteristics amongst this population is thus essential to combatting its rise.
The aim of this study was to identify the factors associated with increased awareness and knowledge of NAFLD among CYA in one university.
Key learnings:
CYA from one university were found to possess low awareness and knowledge of NAFLD. Factors contributing to increased awareness of NAFLD included medical background, high medical knowledge level, and family history of NAFLD. Educational interventions regarding NAFLD for CYA must thus be urgently developed to prevent progression into HCC and mitigate the burden associated with the rise of NAFLD.
