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Article
HIV Knowledge, Risk Behavior, Stigma, and Their Impact on HIV Testing among Asian American and Pacific Islanders: A Review of Literature
Social Work in Public Health (2016)
  • Soma Sen, San Jose State University
  • Nguyen Hoang Dung, San Jose State University
  • So Yung Kim, San Jose State University
  • Jemel Aguilar, University of Saint Joseph
Abstract
Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) are the fastest growing population in the United States with documented increases in HIV rates. AAPIs are as likely as other racial/ethnic groups to engage in HIV-related risk behaviors, while being concomitantly less likely to have been HIV tested. Testing is a critical step in HIV prevention. Research points to various barriers to HIV-related testing including HIV knowledge and attitude and stigma. However, these factors and their impact among AAPIs are poorly understood. Myths about this population's “model minority” status compound AAPIs' sociocultural factors including English language proficiency, access to healthcare, and a culture of “silence” that negatively influences HIV-related research. In this article, the authors review the scientific literature on knowledge, risk behavior, and stigma to document the current state of research. Based on the review the authors offer a set of research, policy, and practice recommendations for social workers and other service providers working with AAPIs.
Keywords
  • social epidemiology of HIV/AIDS,
  • health disparities and HIV/AIDS,
  • HIV and AAPI
Disciplines
Publication Date
2016
DOI
10.1080/19371918.2016.1173612
Publisher Statement
SJSU Users: use the following link to login and access the article via SJSU databases.
Citation Information
Soma Sen, Nguyen Hoang Dung, So Yung Kim and Jemel Aguilar. "HIV Knowledge, Risk Behavior, Stigma, and Their Impact on HIV Testing among Asian American and Pacific Islanders: A Review of Literature" Social Work in Public Health Vol. 32 Iss. 1 (2016) p. 11 - 29 ISSN: 1937-1918
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/soma_sen/16/