title: HIV Knowledge, Risk Behavior, Stigma, and Their Impact on HIV Testing among Asian American and Pacific Islanders: A Review of Literature.
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.
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work, San Jose State University , San Jose , California , USA.
authors.forename: Soma
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work, San Jose State University , San Jose , California , USA.
authors.forename: Hoang Dung
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Nguyen
authors.affiliation: a School of Social Work, San Jose State University , San Jose , California , USA.
authors.forename: So Yung
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: b School of Social Work, University of Saint Joseph , West Hartford , Connecticut , USA.
authors.forename: Jemel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aguilar
mesh_terms: D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D044468:Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander / Q000523:psychology*; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057545:Social Stigma; D014481:United States
keywords: HIV and AAPI; Social epidemiology of HIV/AIDS; health disparities and HIV/AIDS