HIV prevention in U.S. Asian Pacific Islander communities: an innovative approach

Few HIV prevention efforts have focused on Asian Pacific Islander communities in the United States. Prevention messages developed for the general U.S. population have failed to reach many Asian Pacific Islanders. This article describes the development of an HIV prevention strategy for Asian Pacific Islanders through health care workers. This strategy was based on the ecological disease theory and action research methodology. The prevention program comprised four components: (1) a symposium for the health care workers, (2) a culturally sensitive and appropriate HIV-related video for the health care workers and their patients, (3) ongoing training of the health care providers, and (4) ongoing liaison and consultative services for the health care providers. The intervention is intended to encourage HIV risk-reduction behaviors among the patients, to encourage the HIV testing of those who may be at risk for HIV, and to facilitate access to services for those found to be infected.