ABSTRACT
The goals of this article are to (a) summarize and discuss published empirical studies addressing HIV seroprevalence rates and HIV-related behaviors and cognitive factors among Asian and Pacific Islander American (API) men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States, (b) examine existing population-based research methodologies for studying HIV and AIDS prevention, (c) describe a conceptual framework to facilitate the identification of ecologically sound or culturally appropriate and competent methodologies for studying HIV prevention among API MSM, and (d) discuss methodological issues and recommend alternative methodologies to better understand this population in HIV prevention. A total of eight published empirical studies reported the HIV seroprevalence rates, HIV-risk behaviors, and attitudes toward HIV and AIDS among API MSM. Specifically, seven studies reported HIV seroprevalence rates that were based on either self-disclosure of HIV status or HIV test results among the study participants. Four studies also reported findings about the relationships between HIV-related behaviors and cognitive factors. There are five population-based databases on HIV and AIDS epidemiology and surveillance which have been managed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Findings from the seven studies indicate that API MSM are as likely to engage in HIV-risk behaviors as other groups. The present analysis reveals that conventional surveillance or epidemiological techniques (e.g., random digit telephone dialing), based on a singular model of populations, are not appropriate to address culturally, linguistically and racially/ethnically diverse groups of API MSM. To address the diversity of this group, ecologically sound or culturally appropriate and competent research methodologies are needed. Thus, a conceptual framework for such methodologies with examples was reviewed. Two alternative methodologies, network analysis and venue-based sampling, were briefly discussed.
PIP: This article presents a summary of HIV seroprevalence rate and HIV-related behavior empirical studies. Results of population-based HIV and AIDS prevention programs are analyzed. Furthermore, this paper describes a conceptual framework for HIV prevention and discusses methodological issues and alternative HIV prevention programs among Asian and Pacific Islander (API) American men who have sex with men (MSM). This study analyzed 8 published studies on HIV seroprevalence rates, HIV risk behaviors, and HIV/AIDS attitudes among API MSM, particularly 7 studies on HIV seroprevalence rates which were based on HIV status self-disclosure and HIV test results. Of the 8 studies, 4 were able to focus on API MSM. The Center for Disease Control, which controls the surveillance of population-based HIV/AIDS epidemiology, utilizes 5 databases. These studies indicate that API MSM were likely to practice unsafe behaviors compared with other risk groups. The use of conventional surveillance or epidemiological techniques based on a singular model of populations is inadequate in response to the culturally, linguistically, and racially/ethnically diverse groups of API MSM. It was suggested that the use of ecologically sound or culturally appropriate and competent research methodologies is necessary to address the diversity of this group. Finally, a discussion on the use of two alternative methodologies, particularly network analysis and venue-based sampling within a conceptual framework, is presented.