Journal of immigrant health
Volume 5, Issue 2, 2003, Pages 49-58

The "Demon Plague" and access to care among Asian undocumented immigrants living with HIV disease in New York City. (Article)

Kang E.* , Rapkin B.D. , Springer C. , Kim J.H.
  • a HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, York, New10032, United States
  • b HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, York, New10032, United States
  • c HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, York, New10032, United States
  • d HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute, Columbia University, Department of Pediatric Psychiatry, New York Presbyterian Medical Center, York, New10032, United States

Abstract

Access to and utilization of care for HIV-positive Asians (A) and Pacific Islanders (PI) have been largely unaddressed despite the rising influx of immigrants from Asia and the Pacific to the United States and the growing HIV prevalence in these regions. This paper describes the cultural attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions that affect access to and utilization of care among Asian undocumented noncitizens living with HIV/AIDS (UNWHA) in New York City. Sixteen semistructured interviews with HIV-positive UNWHAs revealed that their access to care was influenced by community misperceptions of HIV transmission, discriminatory attitudes towards persons living with HIV, competing immigration related stressors, and difficulty navigating service systems. These findings underscore the importance of integrating HIV treatment with primary prevention and awareness of immigration-related stressors to ensure timely access to screening services and care among Asian UNWHAs.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

HIV Infections Human immunodeficiency virus infection psychological aspect human health service ethnology Social Work Health Services Needs and Demand United States Humans Adolescent health services research Asian Americans male Asian American preschool child female Child, Preschool Pacific islands Article adult migration New York City Emigration and Immigration attitude to health Health Services Accessibility health care delivery Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-0142213423&doi=10.1023%2fA%3a1022999507903&partnerID=40&md5=7b3f992fe2c1deee645f2c176ceada1e
DOI: 10.1023/A:1022999507903
ISSN: 10964045
Cited by: 30
Original Language: English