Online Program

327080
Sexual Practices of San Francisco Bay Area Asian & Pacific Islander Young Adults: Who is at Risk?


Sunday, November 1, 2015

Shristi Reddy, MPH, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Robynn Battle, MPH, EdD, Prevention Research Center, Oakland, CA
Daniel Toleran, MS, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Carmen Chen, B.S., Department of Health Promotion, Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center, San Francisco, CA
Andrea Rufo, BS, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Jimmy Quach, BA, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Phillip Gardiner, DrPH, Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, University of California Office of the President, Oakland, CA
Background

HIV prevention research on Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) young adults is limited, however, San Francisco (SF) Bay Area data indicates that new HIV infection rates among the local A&PI population is eight times higher than the national rate. Additionally, preliminary data of A&PI young adults from varying sexual orientations revealed low HIV testing numbers. Such factors warrant the need for further inquiry about sexual health practices and perception of risk.

 

Methods

Using snowball and convenience sampling, 466 A&PI  aged 18 to 29 residing in four SF Bay Area counties completed a risk behavior screening survey targeting at risk A&PI young adults from two public universities, community, and club events. Chi-square statistics were used to determine associations between ethnicity, gender, HIV testing, protected sexual behaviors within sexual orientation.

Results

93% of the sample indicated not having participated in a HIV program. 43% of respondents indicating ever being test for HIV with only 68% having gotten tested in the last 6 months. In assessing sexual practices of A&PI young adults, 41% of heterosexual male participants and 50% of heterosexual female participants reported not using protection during vaginal intercourse. It is also significant that heterosexual male participants are less likely to get a HIV test (p= 0.00).

 

Discussion

A high percentage of respondents reported not participating in a HIV program in the last year coupled with a low HIV testing rate in the last 6 months indicate that our study sample is engaging in sexual practices with limited knowledge of sexual health risk or resources.

Learning Areas:

Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice

Learning Objectives:
Identify sexual practices among Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) young adults Assess current social norms around sexual health practices among A&PI young adults

Keyword(s): Underserved Populations, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the prevention project supervisor of two federally funded grants focusing on Asian Pacific Islander young adult sexual health and substance abuse prevention. I have several years of experience working with the following topics: substance abuse, sexual health, and mental health
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.

Back to: 2035.0: Sexual Behavior and HIV