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Research among Asians and Pacific Islanders 2007 |
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HIV/AIDS among Asians and
Pacific Islanders in the United States
New Study Shows Stigma Bars Access to HIV
Services in Vietnamese and Filipino Communities in
Santa Clara County
Asian & Pacific Islander (A&PI) Wellness Center and the A&PI Santa
Clara HIV County Collaborative released a community-based research study that
shows HIV-related attitudes of discrimination and stigma among Filipinos and
Vietnamese living in Santa Clara County. The study, called “Filling
the Gaps,”
was released during a commemorative event for the 3rd Annual National Asian & Pacific
Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, joined by Supervisor
Liz Kniss, Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors and other community leaders at the James
P. McEntee Senior Plaza, Santa Clara County Adm. Building (70 West Hedding Street,
in San Jose), on Friday May 18, 2007 between 11am-2pm.
In recent years, HIV cases have more than doubled among A&PIs
in Santa Clara County. Yet despite the increase of HIV cases,
the study shows that among Filipinos and Vietnamese, factors
such as stigma, misinformation, and lack of community dialogue
continue to limit access to and utilization of HIV health services.
In general, there are few services and programs that address
the cultural and linguistic needs of these communities, particularly
around sexual health issues.
The study also reveals that community members continue to
correlate HIV with prostitution and/or being gay. According to
a Filipino community member interviewed in the study, "[With
HIV], it’s hard to tell because
there is a negative connotation associated with sexual orientation
and AIDS and also because people aren’t talking about
it. There is a fear of stepping
forward, so you can’t accurately estimate how big of
a problem it is…I’ve
heard comments like ‘It’s a disease in the gay
community; it doesn’t
impact us'." Nationally, Filipinos have the highest
rate of HIV in the A&PI community, accounting for 33% of
HIV cases among A&PIs.
For more information about this research contact us at 415.292.3400.
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Research among Asians and Pacific Islanders 2006 |
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HIV/AIDS among Asians and
Pacific Islanders in the United States
UCLA’s Williams Institute Publishes
New Report on Asians and Pacific Islanders in Same-sex Couples
in the United States
August 10, 2006
This release is also available in Chinese, Japanese, Korean,
Vietnamese, and Tagalog.
LOS ANGELES—The Williams Institute at the UCLA School
of Law, has released a new study showing that over 38,000
Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the United States identified
themselves as living with a same-sex partner during Census
2000. The study also shows that more than half of the country’s
cohabiting API same-sex couples are raising children—over
17,000 children under the age of 18—and that these families
face the same economic challenges as other API families in
the United States. The study, “Asians and Pacific Islanders
in Same-sex Couples in the United States: Data from Census
2000,” appears in Amerasia Journal’s recent forum,
“Asian Americans in the Marriage Equality Debate”
(volume 30:1). Gary J. Gates, co-author of the article and
Senior Research Fellow at the Williams Institute said, “Census
2000 data quantify that Asians and Pacific Islanders represent
a significant portion of the country’s gay and lesbian
families. Many API same-sex couples, particularly those with
children, are economically vulnerable, especially as they
lack the support and protections that marriage provides to
other American families.”
Some of the study’s other key findings:
- APIs in same-sex couples reflect the diversity of the
general API population in the United States. Significant
proportions of APIs in same-sex couples identified themselves
as exclusively Filipino (18%), Chinese (17%), Asian Indian
(11%), Vietnamese (8%), Japanese (7%), or Korean (7%). A
significant proportion also identified themselves as belonging
to two or more races (18%).
- California had the largest number of APIs in cohabiting
same-sex couples (13,288), followed by New York (4,775)
and Hawaii (2,186).
- In terms of their demographic and socio-economic profile,
API individuals in same-sex couples look very similar to
their counterparts in different-sex couples. They differ
little in terms of citizenship, military service, income,
education, and rates of employment.
- Forty-nine percent of cohabiting API same-sex couples
have lived together for at least five years.
- API same-sex parents are raising their children with
fewer resources than different-sex parents (both API and
non-API). Parents in API same-sex couples have annual household
incomes that are, on average, over $12,200 less than API
parents in different-sex couples and over $8,100 less than
non-API parents in different-sex couples.
- Eighty-eight percent of API children being raised by
same-sex couples are in a household where at least one parent
is API; 66 percent are being raised in a household where
both parents are API.
The full text of the Williams Institute article can be accessed
at http://www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute.
The article was made possible through a generous grant by
the Evelyn
and Walter Haas Jr. Foundation.
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Research among Asians and Pacific Islanders 2005 |
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HIV/AIDS among Asians and
Pacific Islanders in the United States
HIV/AIDS among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States
Authors: Kyung-Hee Choi, Frank Wong and Francisco S. Sy
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : iii
Epidemiology
of HIV/AIDS among Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United
States
Authors: Irum F. Zaidi, Nicole Crepaz, Ruiguang Song, Choi K.
Wan, Lillian S. Lin, Dale J. Hu and Francisco S. Sy
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 405-417
Abstracts: Although the percentage of overall AIDS diagnoses
remains low among Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) in the
United States compared with other racial/ethnic groups, research
on API risk behaviors and health status suggest that the low
number of AIDS cases may not provide a full picture of the epidemic
and issues faced by this understudied and underserved population.
Data from national HIV/AIDS surveillance systems and the Behavioral
Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were examined to delineate
the magnitude and course of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among APIs
in the United States. Same-sex sexual activity is the main HIV
risk for API men, whereas heterosexual contact is for API women.
APIs are significantly less likely to report being tested for
HIV despite the fact that a similar proportion of APIs and other
racial/ethnic groups reported having HIV risk in the past 12
months. Given the enormous diversity among APIs in the United
States it is important to collect detailed demographic information
to improve race/ethnicity and HIV risk classification, conduct
better behavioral and disease monitoring for informing prevention
planning, and addressing cultural, linguistic, economic and
legal barriers to HIV prevention among APIs.
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to Top
Substance
Use, Substance Choice, and Unprotected Anal Intercourse among
Young Asian American and Pacific Islander Men Who Have Sex with
Men
Authors: Kyung-Hee Choi, Don Operario, Steven E. Gregorich,
Willi McFarland, Duncan MacKellar and Linda Valleroy
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 418-429
Substance use has been shown to be an important factor associated
with having unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) among Asian and
Pacific Islander
(API) men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little is known
about which substances are used in conjunction with sexual activity
and whether having UAI varies by substance choice in this population.
From January 2000 to September 2001, we sampled API MSM aged
18-29 years from 30 gay-identified venues in San Francisco,
California, and interviewed 496 API men face-to-face using a
standardized questionnaire. Overall, 47% of the sample reported
UAI in the past 6 months. During the same time period, 32% and
34% reported being "high" or "buzzed" on
alcohol and drugs during sex, respectively. The most common
drugs used in conjunction with sex were methylenedioxymethamphetamine
("ecstasy"; 19%), followed by marijuana (14%), inhalant
nitrites ("poppers"; 11%), and crystal methamphetamine
("crystal"; 10%). In a multivariate model, we observed
associations between UAI and being high or buzzed on ecstasy
(odds ratio [OR] = 2.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.37,
5.02) and poppers during sex (OR = 3.29; 95% CI = 1.50, 7.25).
However, being high or buzzed on alcohol, marijuana, gamma-hydroxybutyrate
(GHB), and crystal methamphetamine during sex had no association
with UAI. One third of sampled young API MSM used drugs or alcohol
during sex. The co-occurrence of ecstasy and popper use and
unprotected sex underscores the need to develop HIV prevention
programs focusing on particular drugs.
Author(s): Kyung-Hee Choi1 | Don Operario2 | Steven E. Gregorich3
| Willi McFarland4 | Duncan MacKellar5 | Linda Valleroy6
Author(s) affiliations
- University of California, San Francisco Center for AIDS
Prevention Studies, San Francisco.
- University of Oxford, Oxford, England.
- University of California, San Francisco Center for AIDS
Prevention Studies, San Francisco.
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta,
GA.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta,
GA.
Address correspondence to Kyung-Hee Choi, Center for AIDS Prevention
Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco, 50
Beale St.,
Suite1300, San Francisco, CA 94105; E-mail: khchoi@psg.ucsf.edu
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Sexual Risk Behavior and Substance
Use among a Sample of Asian Pacific Islander Transgendered Women
Authors: Don Operario and Tooru Nemoto
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 430-443
We examined the prevalence and correlates of HIV-related sexual
risk and substance use behaviors among Asian Pacific Islander
(API) male-to-female
(MTF) transgendered individuals, referred to here as API transgendered
women. As part of a larger study on HIV risk among transgendered
women of color (Nemoto, Operario, Keatley, Han, & Soma,
2004), a sample of 110 API transgendered women in San Francisco
completed individual interviews, of which 13% reported being
HIV-positive. In the past 30 days, one fifth of the sample engaged
in unprotected receptive anal intercourse (URAI) with any male
partner, nearly one half had sex while under the influence of
substances, and over half used illicit drugs. In multivariate
models, URAI was associated with commercial sex work (odds ratio
[OR] = 4.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 16.25) and
previous attempted suicide (OR = 5.83, 95% CI = 1.02, 33.44).
Sex under the influence of substances was associated with commercial
sex work (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.11, 10.13) and having a college
degree (OR = 5.32, 95% CI = 1.34, 21.18). Illicit drug use was
associated with commercial sex work (OR = 7.15, 95% = 2.26,
22.63). Findings suggest that API MTF transgenders are on the
front line of HIV risk for the API community, and provide insight
into factors within this group that might contribute to unsafe
sex and substance use.
Author(s): Don Operario1 | Tooru Nemoto2
Author(s) affiliations
- Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University
of Oxford.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
Address correspondence to Don Operario, Department of Social
Policy and Social Work, 32 Wellington Square, University of
Oxford, OX1 234, United Kingdom; E-mail: don.operario@socres.ox.ac.uk
View Header/Abstract View PDF article (158K) View references
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Risk Behaviors among Asian Women
Who Work at Massage Parlors in San Francisco: Perspectives from
Masseuses and Owners/Managers
Authors: Tooru Nemoto, Mariko Iwamoto, Hyun Joo Oh, Serena Wong
and Hongmai Nguyen
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 444-456
This study investigates cognitive, cultural, and contextual
factors that influence HIV-related risk behaviors among Asian
women who engage in sex work at massage parlors in San Francisco.
Focus groups and qualitative interviews were conducted for Vietnamese
and Thai masseuses and massage parlor owners/managers. Economic
pressure as well as subjective evaluation of customers for the
risk of HIV/STD infection increase unprotected sexual behaviors
among Asian masseuses. Massage parlor owners/managers do not
establish a clear policy for condom use at their parlors. Consequently,
male customers often manipulate their intention not to use a
condom while negotiating with masseuses. HIV/STD prevention
intervention programs should address specific risks and needs
for Asian masseuses, owners/managers, and male customers in
order to promote health and well being among Asian masseuses
who have been neglected by public health and social services.
Author(s): Tooru Nemoto1 | Mariko Iwamoto2 | Hyun Joo Oh3 |
Serena Wong4 | Hongmai Nguyen5
Author(s) affiliations
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
- Center for AIDS Prevention Studies, University of California,
San Francisco.
Address correspondence to Tooru Nemoto, PhD, Center for AIDS
Prevention Studies (CAPS), University of California, San Francisco,
74 New Montgomery St., Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105; E-mail:
tnemoto@psg.ucsf.edu
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Sex, HIV Risks, and Substance Use
among Asian American College Students
Authors: Dominicus W. So, Frank Y. Wong and Jordana M. DeLeon
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 457-468
In this study of 248 predominantly heterosexual Asian American
college students, we found some HIV risks: lifetime prevalence
of unprotected sex (37%), alcohol before sex (23.8%), and drug
use before sex (6.0%). The prevalence of lifetime anal sex is
only 9%, but 90.48% of those who have ever had anal sex did
so without a condom. The Sexual Risk Indices, measured with
a 13 item risky sexual behavior checklist, are positively associated
with age. Most students have inadequate HIV knowledge. Acculturation
is positively associated with the 30-day HIV Sexual Risk Index
and HIV Knowledge Score. Preference for speaking English at
home and for American entertainment is associated with higher
likelihood of sexual activities, safe or unsafe. Lifetime Sexual
Risk Index is also associated with 30-day and lifetime alcohol
use. Lifetime drug use is associated with 30-day and lifetime
Sexual Risk Indices. Alcohol before use in the lifetime also
reliably predicts unprotected sex in the lifetime.
Author(s): Dominicus W. So1 | Frank Y. Wong2 | Jordana M. DeLeon3
Author(s) affiliations
- Department of Psychology, Howard University, Washington
DC.
- International Health Department, Georgetown University,
Washington DC.
- International Health Department, Georgetown University,
Washington DC.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dominicus W.
So, Howard University, Department of Psychology, Room N-269,
CB Powell Bldg., 525 Bryant St. NW, Washington, DC 20059; E-mail:
dso@fac.howard.edu
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The Health Belief Model, Sexual
Behaviors, and HIV Risk among Taiwanese Immigrants
Authors: Peter Lin, Jane M. Simoni and Vance Zemon
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 469-483
In this first investigation of Taiwanese sexual behaviors in
the United States, 144 Taiwanese students completed an online
anonymous survey. Demographics, health belief model (HBM) constructs,
and acculturation were examined as predictors of sexual behaviors
over the last year. Analyses indicated that participants who
reported a higher number of sexual partners and more frequent
sexual intercourse tended to be more educated and more likely
to be nonheterosexual. The HBM constructs, as a set, reliably
predicted participants' sexual behaviors. Self-efficacy was
the strongest predictor within the HBM. Furthermore, acculturation
moderated the predictive power of the HBM with respect to intercourse
frequency. The main limitation of the study is that the measure
of HBM, which was not designed to target Asian immigrants, was
psychometrically poor. The results suggest self-efficacy is
a target for behavioral change, acculturation may need to be
incorporated into the HBM, and more culturally sensitive measures
need to be developed.
Author(s): Peter Lin1 | Jane M. Simoni2 | Vance Zemon3
Author(s) affiliations
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at Columbia
University and New York Psychiatric Institute, New York.
- Department of Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle.
- Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University,
Bronx, NY.
Address correspondence to Jane M. Simoni, Department of Psychology,
University of Washington, Box 351525, Seattle, WA 98195-1525;
E-mail: jsimoni@u.washington.edu
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Chinese and South Asian
Religious Institutions and HIV Prevention in New York City
Authors: John J. Chin, Joanne Mantell, Linda Weiss, Mamatha
Bhagavan and Xiaoting Luo
AIDS Education and Prevention Volume: 17 | Issue: 5 October
2005 : 484- 502
Religious institutions in Asian immigrant communities are in
a unique position to confront the challenges of the HIV epidemic
for the populations they serve. However, there has been little
research on whether these institutions are willing or able to
take a role in HIV prevention. This article reports on findings
from a qualitative study of three Asian immigrant religious
institutions in New York City (a Buddhist temple, a Hindu temple,
an Islamic center/mosque) that are part of a larger study of
Asian immigrant community institutions and their response to
the HIV epidemic. Several prominent themes arose that formed
the basis of a preliminary theoretical framework describing
the way Asian immigrant religious institutions may evaluate
their role in HIV prevention. The interview data indicate that
the institutions take a stance of "conservative innovation,"
weighing their role as keepers of morality and religious tradition
against the changing needs of their communities and then adjusting
their practices or positions incrementally (to varying degrees)
to stay responsive and relevant.
Author(s): John J. Chin1 | Joanne Mantell2 | Linda Weiss3 |
Mamatha Bhagavan4 | Xiaoting Luo5
Author(s) affiliations
- Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine,
New York.
- Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine,
New York; HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies
at the NYS Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University,
New York.
- Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine,
New York.
- Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine,
New York.
- Office of Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine,
New York.
- Address correspondence to John J. Chin, PhD, Office of
Special Populations, New York Academy of Medicine, 1216
Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10029-5293; E-mail: jchin@nyam.org
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