HIV Testing and HCV Screening and its Socio-Demographic Correlates among Asians living in the San Francisco Bay Area

Background: A paucity of prevention research data on Asians in the United States exist. Among researchers the usual practice is to report the group as an aggregate, hence masking risk taking and other behaviors. Project 333 was created to address the often co-morbid conditions of Hepatitis C and HIV among high risk adult Chinese, Filipino and Vietnamese males living in the San Francisco Bay Area. Methods: Data was gathered through a survey adapted from the California Office of AIDS's HIV and Hepatitis C Counseling Information Form, to describe distinct risk behaviors (substance use practices, HIV and Hepatitis testing practices, sexual behaviors and sexual behaviors under the influence of substances). Survey administration was completed through one-on-one interviews by trained and certified bi-lingual and bi-cultural Counselors.

Results: Survey results showed (n=273), significant difference found between aforementioned ethnic groups on various behavioral measures: the number of sexual partners (p=.007); lifetime HIV testing (p=.002); primarily English speakers at home were more likely to be tested (p<.008), and ethnic differences were found in the number of partners which is positively related to getting tested for HCV (p < .047).

Conclusions: This study suggests socio-demographic indicators for testing among participants at high risk for HIV and HCV infection; and a concerted effort to encourage learning about their HIV and HCV status was needed. Outreach, education, culturally sensitive and linguistically specific prevention and testing services are essential in order to decrease the incidence and prevalence of disease, and to improve testing rates.