ABSTRACT
In light of the abruptness and severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia, there has been growing concern in recent years about the HIV/AIDS risks with the steady rate of Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) migration to the United States. Little is known, however, about existing HIV risks among non-MSM (men who have sex with men) AAPIs. The purpose of this study was to examine self-reported HIV testing behaviors and their correlates among a sample of 604 Southeast Asians living in a U.S. urban setting. The HIV testing rate among our sample adults is 30.8%, lower than the median HIV testing rate in the U.S. adult population by state, lower than that of the general adult testing rate in the study city, and lower than that of the AAPI MSM population. A low sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing rate as a proxy for low perceived sexual risks and a dearth of HIV knowledge were associated with the low HIV testing rate. Traditional health care access measures, such as availability of medical insurance and a personal doctor, cannot explain the low HIV testing rate in this predominantly immigrant population. Culturally and linguistically appropriate HIV prevention campaigns could increase the awareness of HIV/STI risk in this AAPI population.
Subject(s)
Asian/statistics & numerical data , HIV Infections/diagnosis , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Self Disclosure , Sexual Behavior/ethnology , Adolescent , Adult , Asia, Southeastern/ethnology , Asian/psychology , District of Columbia/epidemiology , Emigration and Immigration , Female , HIV Infections/ethnology , Health Services Accessibility , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/diagnosis , Sexually Transmitted Diseases/ethnology , Substance-Related Disorders/epidemiology , Urban HealthABSTRACT
Asian Americans (AA) are thought to have the lowest rates of substance use. This study examined substance use prevalence among 494 urban-dwelling Southeast Asians using snowball techniques. Prevalence estimates were age-adjusted proportionate to the U.S. Asian population. Findings show beer and alcohol consumption approximated the national percentage among 25-44 year olds. U.S.-born were about three times likelier to have past month substance use. Foreign-born Vietnamese were likelier than U.S.-born to use all substances except for beer. U.S.- and foreign-born beer consumption rates were similar. Future research is needed to delineate substance use determinants and patterns in foreign and U.S.-born AA sub-groups.
Subject(s)
Alcohol-Related Disorders/ethnology , Alcoholism/ethnology , Asian/statistics & numerical data , Emigration and Immigration , Refugees/statistics & numerical data , Substance-Related Disorders/ethnology , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Adult , Alcoholic Beverages , Asia, Southeastern/ethnology , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Cross-Sectional Studies , District of Columbia , Female , Health Surveys , Humans , Male , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
The model to understand sexual health among Asian American/Pacific Islander men who have sex with men first locates the dynamic process in the home country, with its prevailing cultural norms including sexual mores, shame or stigma, sexual attitudes, sexual behavior, and drug use/abuse. Second, these cultural norms are modified by the migration/immigration experience. Third, these norms, beliefs, and practices are continually influenced by the process of acculturation as these men try to adjust to life in the United States. The effects of the first two domains may vary by the degree to which a particular immigrant community remains socially and culturally insulated from the mainstream community. Conceivably, the effect of home country and migration/immigration would be less significant for those who were either very young at the time of immigration or are born in the United States.
