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

Abstract #115813

Stella Gran-O'Donnell, MSW, MPH¹, Warya Pothan, MBA², Sokunthea Ok, MSW², Khanie Ha, BA², and Leakhena Leng, BA². (1) School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 - 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98195, (206) 353-7987, sgran@u.washington.edu, (2) Employment & Education, Neighborhood House, 905 Spruce Street, Suite 213, Seattle, WA 98104

Washington State is home to the nation's third largest Cambodian population. These refugees face numerous barriers: high poverty, unemployment, truancy and school drop outs, substance abuse (SA), and risks for HIV/AIDS. Furthermore, the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Cambodia, globalization and increasing transnational migration, socially acceptable promiscuity and SA among males, cultural norms, and stigma increases risks. In 2001, King County's AIDS cases among Asians and Pacific Islanders (APIs) were double the national rate, 120 were diagnosed, a 16.5% increase since 1999. Of HIV cases, Cambodians represented 19%. Availability of disaggregate data is rare, with limited state and national data, compromising prevention planning efforts. In response, Project HANDLE's (HIV/AIDS Network Development and Life-Skills Experiences) Cambodian Advisory Coalition (CAC) mobilized partners to conduct a year-long planning effort to address HIV/AIDS and SA prevention. HANDLE's mission is to promote collaboration, identify solutions, and implement culturally appropriate prevention strategies. Goals include to increase: 1) provision of integrated prevention services; 2) the number of community-based organizations (CBOs) providing integrated services; and 3) capacity of Cambodian serving CBOs to successfully sustain services. An innovative-partnership model was designed by CAC members and a needs assessment conducted, including focus groups with parents, youth, and providers. Findings were incorporated and aided identification of best practice curricula, design and development of program, strategic, and evaluation plans. Examples of lessons learned and recommendations for discussion include strategies for: forming a diverse AC-CBO collaborative model for service provision, evaluation, and integration of prevention services, along with related funding and capacity building plans.

Learning Objectives:

• 3. Describe the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and the social, cultural and risk factors for HIV/AIDS among Cambodians in Seattle/King County.
  6. Identify steps needed to design and implement a community-collaborative approach for HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention within ethnic minority communities, specifically, Southeast Asian refugees and immigrants.
  9. Describe benefits, challenges, and recommendations for using a community collaborative model for HIV/AIDS and substance abuse prevention programs, evaluation, and capacity building.

Keywords: Community Programs, Ethnic Minorities

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.