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This analysis examined correlates of HIV testing among Asian immigrant female sex workers in massage parlors. We interviewed 69 Chinese and Korean immigrant women who provided sexual services in massage parlors in New York City or Los Angeles County (2014–2016). Multivariable logistic regression results showed that participants who were younger, have lived in the U.S. for a longer period of time, had greater English proficiency, perceived higher HIV risk, or were living with an intimate partner were more likely to have had an HIV test. Disclosing sex work to a close friend was also positively associated with HIV testing at p <.1. These correlates may reflect differential access to information, systems, and social networks that would facilitate HIV testing, highlighting the importance of reducing social isolation and increasing HIV education, especially for older women who have come to the U.S. more recently. As the literature has indicated that Asian immigrant female sex workers experience high rates of intersectional stigma, efforts to mitigate these intersecting stigmas could further these objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV infections disproportionately impact Latinx populations in the United States, yet oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) uptake is low. This study was a secondary gendered analysis of interviews with Latina cisgender women (n = 20) recruited from an urban safety net hospital inNew York City between August 2019 and October 2022. All women were indicated for PrEP by the provider. In-depth interviews were conducted with participants in English and Spanish and asked about social determinants of health, sexual partnerships and behaviors, and PrEP-specific enablers and barriers. Secondary thematic content analysis was conducted to identify gender-related factors influencing PrEP uptake. The following themes emerged from the data:structural factors (e.g., employment), partner-related factors, low sexual health knowledge, and resilience and empowerment. Partner-related factors were the most salient; partner infidelity served as reasons for initiating PrEP. Despite being constrained by low power in relationships, women made empowered choices to initiate PrEP and protect themselves. Findings indicated that the impact of gender inequity was an important factor in Latina women's PrEP decision making, pointing to a need to address partner-driven HIV risk, imbalance of power in relationships, and gender norms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian sexual minorities (SMs) are an under-researched population. SMs are at higher risk for substance use problems than heterosexuals, but little research exists specifically on Asians who are SM. This study compared the prevalence of substance use among Asian SMs and among adults by race/ethnicity and sexual identity in the US. Data were analyzed from participants in the 2015–2020 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationally representative cross-sectional survey of non-institutionalized adults. Controlling for demographic characteristics, logistic regression models were used to estimate odds of substance use 1) among Asian adults by sexual identity (N = 11,079) and 2) all adults by race/ethnicity and sexual minority status (N = 223,971). Among Asians, compared to heterosexuals, identifying as gay/lesbian was associated with higher odds of past-month use of marijuana. Bisexual Asians were at higher odds of engaging in past-year prescription opioid misuse and having past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD). Compared to White heterosexuals, Asian SMs were at lower odds for past-month binge drinking and cocaine use, but not for past-month marijuana use and past-year AUD, marijuana use disorder, and prescription opioid misuse. More research is needed to understand these disparities and address sexual identity's role in substance use among Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population is rapidly growing in the United States. Despite sexual violence being a persistent and significant public health issue, research on this topic among AANHPIs is lacking. The study objective is to conduct a systematic scoping review on the published literature on non-partner sexual violence among AANHPIs to identify gaps and priorities to inform actionable research. The systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA Protocol for Systematic Reviews. Database searches were conducted of MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central of Clinical Trials, along with and AgeLine and CINAHL for peer-reviewed articles describing non-partner sexual violence among AANHPIs. The search was limited to articles in English published after 1990. Each citation was reviewed by two trained independent reviewers, with a third researcher resolving any conflicts. Of the 998 articles screened and subsequently 496 full-text articles assessed for eligibility, 38 articles were included in the final analysis. The majority of studies did not report disaggregated data for AANHPI subgroups, with most focusing on East Asian subgroups and little evidence on NHPI communities. Most studies were cross-sectional, quantitative, and employed non-probability sampling. There was a lack of studies on effectiveness of interventions and validity of sexual violence-related measures. Our review provides a first step in mapping the extant literature on non-partner sexual violence among this underserved and under-researched population and will serve as a guide for future research, policy, and intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sex trafficking is serious form of gender-based violence that results in profound adverse health outcomes, yet one that is poorly understood. New York City is a major hub for sex trafficking, with a significant but unquantified number of victims originating from East Asian countries and trafficked via illicit massage businesses. Peer-reviewed studies among Asian survivors of international criminal sex trafficking do not exist. The aim of this study is to qualitatively examine the factors at various levels of influence that impact the recovery and reintegration process of Asian criminal sex trafficking survivors in the United States from the perspective of survivors and front-line service providers. The study was guided by community-based participatory research and trauma-informed approaches, leveraging a collaboration with a well-established service provider organization. Ten in-depth interviews were conducted between 2018 and 2019 with three Korean survivors and seven key informants who were anti-trafficking service providers working with East Asian clients. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Survivors and service providers vocalized factors at multiple levels that either facilitate or impede recovery and well-being. Levels of influence included structural (e.g., poverty/debt bondage, immigration status, limited English proficiency), cultural (e.g., fatalism, collectivism), institutional (e.g., lack of culturally appropriate, trauma-informed care), interpersonal (e.g., exploitation, social support), and individual (e.g., resilience). Stigma was a crosscutting factor that spanned all levels of influence. This study highlights the voices of survivors and front-line service providers to understand the lives of an under-researched population of Asian sex trafficking survivors. Ultimately, the root, structural causes of survivor marginalization need to be addressed, which stem from the intersection of class-, gender-, and race-related inequities. While survivors continue to experience exploitation and marginalization post-trafficking, they also carry an enormous amount of resilience that must be leveraged in their path to recovery from trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority (LGB+) South Asian Americans represent a disproportionately underserved and often invisible community in the United States. While issues of sexual violence have been documented in the South Asian American community, little is known on its impact among LGB+ individuals. This study explores the experience of sexual violence, related attitudes, and mental health outcomes among LGB+ South Asian Americans. A community-informed online survey of 18–34-year-old South Asian Americans living near the New York State region, recruited from online social media platforms, was conducted. Study design, implementation, and evaluation occurred in partnership with an advisory board of South Asian young adult representatives; data was analyzed both descriptively and through multivariable logistic regression models. Of the 385 participants who reported their sexuality, LGB+ participants comprised 24.1% (n = 93) of the sample. LGB+ participants were more likely to have experienced rape multiple times (17.2% vs. 9.6%) in bivariate analyses, and higher odds of depression (AOR:3.47, 95%CI:1.61–8.17) in adjusted analyses. Overall, LGB+ South Asian Americans displayed a disproportionate burden of sexual violence and depression. Findings identify policy and research pathways to address sexual violence among LGB+ South Asians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]