Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #120493

Cathie Alana, MPA, CSAC, Donna-Marie Palakiko, RN, MS, and Jaimie Gordon, CNA. Ke Ola Mamo, A Native Hawaiian Health Care System-Oahu, 1505 Dillingham Boulevard, Room 205, Honolulu, HI 96817, 808 845 4646, calana2@hawaii.rr.com

Native Hawaiian communities, as well as our Pacific neighbors, have for centuries carried on practices of open sexual relationships, which continue to exist in our current society. Referred to as “Mahu,” males who have decided to dress as females and identify themselves genderly as such may be called queens; males who choose to dress as males but exhibit more feminine mannerisms are called butch queens. A third group of men dress as mainstream males and sometimes don't openly share their sexual identity. The commonality that exists between all groups is they all have sex with men.

Plagued by many social and health barriers of being a native Hawaiian in this century, transgender and MSM populations have tremendous challenges to conquer. Their risk factors for HIV disease and Chemical Dependency increase without access to culturally sensitive and appropriate services. Their opportunities for social, healthcare and employment services are often laden with unskilled, insensitive and homophobic providers. Driven further into social isolation, TGs/ MSMs engage in numerous episodes of unprotected sex while under the influence of both club and street drugs. The connection between sex and drugs become a challenge to this population as well as those who provide services to them.

The Lei Anuenue Project is funded through a grant from the Substance Abuse Mental Health Service Agency (SAMHSA) to provide Asian Pacific Islander TG/ MSM population with education on HIV and substance abuse. The goal of the project is to prevent the transmission of HIV and continued use of substances.

Learning Objectives:

• Increase their knowledge of the Hawaiian TG/MSM community;
• Identify strategies for recruitment and retention;
• Apply culturally sensitive curriculum to at risk population

Keywords: Cultural Competency, Barriers to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.

Recorded presentation