title: Ethnoracial disparities in sexual assault among Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ethnoracial differences may exist in exposure to trauma and posttraumatic outcomes. However, Asian Americans and Native Hawaiians/other Pacific Islanders (NHOPIs) are vastly underrepresented in research pertaining to trauma and health status sequelae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether there are ethnoracial disparities in sexual trauma exposure and its sequelae for health and functioning among Asian Americans and NHOPIs.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined data on sexual assault exposure from the 2006-2007 Hawaii Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (H-BRFSS), which yielded a cross-sectional, adult, community-based probability sample (N = 12,573). Data were collected via computer-assisted random-digit landline telephone survey. Survey response rate was found to be about 48% in 2006 and 52% in 2007. The main outcome measures were demographic information, the sexual violence module of the H-BRFSS regarding unwanted sexual experiences, and questions about health lifestyles, chronic diseases and disability, and health status and quality of life.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participants (N = 12,573) were 44.1% white, 15.0% NHOPI, and 40.9% Asian American. The NHOPIs had a higher 12-month period prevalence (2.24 per 100; 95% CI, 1.32-3.78) for any unwanted sexual experience but had a lower prevalence estimate and odds ratio for any lifetime unwanted sexual experience (prevalence: 9.38 per 100 [95% CI, 7.59-11.55]; odds ratio: 0.61 [95% CI, 0.47-0.81]) relative to whites, after adjusting for age, gender, income, and education level. Asian Americans had lower prevalence estimates for 12-month period prevalence (0.78 per 100; 95% CI, 0.44-1.39) and lower lifetime prevalence estimates and odds ratios (prevalence: 3.91 per 100 [95% CI, 3.23-4.72]; odds ratio: 0.27 [95% CI, 0.21-0.34]). The 12-month and lifetime prevalence estimates for any unwanted sexual experiences for whites were 0.71 per 100 (95% CI, 0.45-1.12) and 12.01 per 100 (95% CI, 10.96-13.14), respectively. Sexual assault experiences were highly associated with adverse health status sequelae (eg, disability, poor general health), but there were no significant ethnoracial disparities on self-reported health outcomes among those with a lifetime history of unwanted sexual experiences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data revealed significant ethnoracial differences between whites, Asian Americans, and NHOPIs on unwanted sexual experiences, with relative risk differing by time period. This pattern of disparity could represent early stages of a new trend in local assaultive behaviors toward NHOPIs and merits attention. Across all ethnoracial groups, a lifetime history of any unwanted sexual experience is associated with a wide range of adverse health status sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Mental Health Services Research, Evaluation, and Training Program, University of Hawai'i, Manoa, HI, USA.
authors.forename: Annette S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Crisanti
authors.forename: B Christopher
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Frueh
authors.forename: Debbie M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gundaya
authors.forename: Florentina R
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Salvail
authors.forename: Elisa G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Triffleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006254:Hawaii / Q000453:epidemiology; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011902:Rape / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012742:Sex Offenses / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000639:trends; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult