Online Program

317108
Examining the role of HIV related stigma on HIV testing behaviors among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders


Tuesday, November 3, 2015

Van Ta Park, PhD, MPH, Department of Health Science and Recreation, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Soma Sen, PhD, San Jose State University, School of Social Work, San Jose, CA
Hoang Dung Nguyen, MSW candidate, School of Social Work, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
So Yung Kim, MSW candidate, School of Social Work, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
Malaya Arevalo, Asian Americans for Community Involvement, San Jose, CA
Background: Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are the only racial group with a significant increase in HIV rates in the U.S. AAPI also delay HIV testing due to stigma. However, how AAPI communities succumb to or overcome HIV-related stigma is poorly understood. Hence, this study examines how HIV-related stigma impacts HIV testing among AAPI.

Methods: Seventy-five at-risk AAPI completed quantitative instruments in English/Vietnamese. A subgroup of 10 participants was randomly selected for the interviews.

Results: The sample consisted: 89% AA, 11% PI; 43% LGBTQ; mean age of 25 years; 59% male; and 36% foreign-born. Most (71%) reported having past year HIV-related risky behavior, but 45% did not get tested. Also, 55% said they would rather not touch someone with HIV because they are scared of infection, 21% agreed at some level that homosexuality is the cause of HIV, 58% had some level of fear of sharing a drinking glass with and 48% reported some level of fear of caring for an HIV positive individual. There is a culture of silence in the families regarding HIV/sexual behaviors, AAPI youth learning HIV and sex-related topics outside of home environments, perceived HIV stigmas and stereotypes, and different perceived risks between younger and older AAPI generations.

Conclusions: These findings provide some understanding of HIV test-taking barriers among AAPI. It is imperative to understand the decision making process (i.e. role of stigma) about test-taking behaviors in order to address the increased trend of the HIV rate among AAPI and develop culturally appropriate intervention strategies.

Learning Areas:

Advocacy for health and health education
Diversity and culture
Social and behavioral sciences

Learning Objectives:
Describe the rate of HIV testing among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Examine the impact of HIV related stigma on HIV testing behaviors among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Keyword(s): HIV Risk Behavior, Asian and Pacific Islanders

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract Author on the content I am responsible for because I conduct health disparities research including HIV prevention and mental health among Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

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.