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Abstract #152929

Hyeouk Chris Hahm, PhD, School of Social Work, Boston univeristy, 264 Bay State Road, Boston, MA 02215, 617-353-3925, hahm@bu.edu, Kristina J. Wong, Boston University, 725 Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, and Al Ozonoff, PhD, Biostatistics, Boston University School of Public Health, 715 Albany Street, T4E, Boston, MA 02118.

Objectives: Compared with other ethnic groups in the U.S., Asian Americans are more likely to be at an advanced stage of HIV/AIDS at the time of diagnosis. The prevalence of HIV/STIs among Asian Americans is lower than other ethnicities, yet the rate of growth is considerable, posing an increased need for understanding the predictors of their testing behaviors. This will be crucial in promoting early diagnosis, accessing effective treatment, and developing HIV/STI prevention policy.

Methods: A nationally representative sample of Asian Americans (n=1195, 48% women, age 18-25), from wave III (2001) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, was analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the predictors of STI testing behavior among Asian Americans while controlling for age, gender, and sexual orientation.

Results: Only 13.2% (n=162, 7.7% women, 5.5% men) reported being tested for HIV/STI. After controlling for age, gender, and sexual orientation, having a history of STI (OR: 6.5) and U.S. birth status (OR: 1.7) were significantly associated with STI testing behaviors. In addition, various sexual risk behaviors were significantly associated with testing behaviors: having multiple sex partners (OR: 2.3), having paid money for sex (OR: 6.5), first sexual intercourse before 15 years old (OR: 2.5), drinking alcohol while having sex (OR: 1.5). Access to health care and failure to receive medical care were not associated with testing behaviors.

Conclusion: To prevent the spread of HIV/STIs in this rising population, urgent efforts are needed to promote HIV/STI testing by raising awareness and education.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify factors that contribute to AAPI HIV/STI testing, and use them to create possible strategies to increase testing.
• Discuss the cultural aspects which hinder AAPI from HIV/STI testing.
• Discuss the urgent needs for promoting testing among AAPIs.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No
Any institutionally-contracted trials related to this submission?

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.