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Bhattacharya, G. (2004). Health care seeking for HIV/AIDS among South Asians in the United States. Health & Social Work, 29(2), 106-115.
- This article explores factors that may influence HIV/AIDS-related health care seeking behaviors among South Asian immigrants (Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan) in the United States.
- Asian and Pacific Islander data demonstrates increasing rates of infection, which makes it especially important to look at Asian subgroups to understand each particular group’s needs and strategies for prevention. According to other studies, some reasons for high rates of infections among API are lack of awareness about HIV; unwillingness to seek healthcare; and delay treatment until advanced stages of infection.
- Religious diversity among South Asians must be taken into account when understanding health care seeking behaviors. For example, beliefs around good or bad “karma” (connecting one’s actions in the past to the present and future) and predestination (one’s destiny accorded by God) have an affect on how South Asians view illness and disease.
- Seeking health care for HIV/AIDS infection or disclosing one’s HIV status could bring shame on the family and community. Due to this attitude, individuals and/or their families may hide the disease, ignore it, or attribute its symptoms to another illness that does not carry stigma.
- For South Asians, family and community norms have a great influence on an individual’s actions. As such, a comprehensive approach to help people seek HIV/AIDS related services should focus on not only the individual but also community factors.
- The study recommends further research to develop appropriate HIV/AIDS testing and treatment interventions for South Asian subgroups through the following:
- Researchers should build relationships with community members to earn trust
- Outreach programs should form partnerships with organizations that have a strong influence on the community, such as faith-based organizations, that can contribute to redefining various religious concepts that may prevent individuals from seeking health care.
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