Online Program

281956
Sexual health norms, barriers, and attitudes among Asian and Pacific Islander young adults in SF bay area


Monday, November 4, 2013

Shristi Reddy, MPH, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Denmark Diaz, BA, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Andrea Rufo, BS, Prevention, Asian American Recovery Services, Inc, South San Francisco, CA
Carmen Chen, BA, 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
Background:HIV prevention research on Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) young adults in the United States is limited, however, local 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. Low perceptions of risk coupled with high rates of risky behaviors among A&PI young adults is exemplified by low HIV testing rates, 65% for those ages 18-24. This demonstrates the need to understand sexual health norms, risk, and attitudes in this population.Purpose:Focus groups were conducted to understand and identify sexual health norms, barriers, and attitudes among A&PI young adults in the SF Bay Area.Methods:Eight focus groups (FGs) were conducted with individuals from SF Bay Area counties. Criteria for the FG were: A&PI, ages of 18-29, and residing in the SF Bay Area with interest in recreational substance users, men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM), and local university students. Program staff facilitated FGs, and organized, coded, and analyzed results with Saturate.Results:Our findings suggest that although participants have a positive association with messaging around condom use and are empowered to carry condoms, condom use is inconsistent due to influence of alcohol and other drugs especially for brief sexual encounters and long-term relationships. Findings also suggest stigma is a strong barrier to HIV/STI testing, along with physician bias for treating heterosexual patients and inconsistent relationships with multiple healthcare providers.Conclusion:Identified themes relevant to A&PI young adults in regard to sexual health norms, risk, and attitudes informed development and implementation of culturally competent prevention education.

Learning Areas:

Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Identify sexual health risk behaviors among Asian and Pacific Islander young adults Assess current social norms around sexual health among Asian and Pacific Islander young adults

Keyword(s): Asian and Pacific Islander, Sexual Risk Behavior

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am the project coordinator on this federally funded grant focusing on sexual health and substance abuse among Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) young adults. I have several years of experience working in mental health and substance abuse with diverse communities.
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.