Document 2191
 DOCN  M94A2191
 TI    HIV positive Asians in Sydney: a hidden minority.
 DT    9412
 AU    Camit MC; AIDS Council of NSW, Sydney, Australia.
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(1):360 (abstract no. PD0048). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94370384
 AB    OBJECTIVES: Prior to the project (Positive Asian Men's Project) access
       to services by Asian men living with HIV/AIDS in Sydney has been very
       minimal. The project has the following objectives: To assess the
       education and support needs of HIV positive Asian men who have sex with
       men living in the Sydney metropolitan area. To maximise access by HIV
       positive Asian men to resources and services. To establish some factors
       affecting accessibility to support services. To promote and ensure
       participation of HIV positive Asian men in the project. To increase
       awareness amongst service providers to particular needs of HIV positive
       Asian men. METHODS: Strategies included opening different avenues for
       positive Asian men to contact the project. Promotion of a social support
       group that meets informally with a high level of confidentiality was
       done. Informal needs assessment was conducted to establish issues for
       access and support. A weekly information night utilising interpreters
       and volunteers that translated written information into various Asian
       languages was provided. RESULTS: The number of Asian men living with
       HIV/AIDS that have accessed the project at ACON has increased. A core
       group of Asians living with HIV/AIDS has been trained to provide peer
       support. Self-empowerment and self-esteem of members of the group was
       raised. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Asians, contrary to popular belief
       are not a homogeneous group. The project has however, established some
       factors that affect positive Asian's accessibility to services.
       Experience in the project can help explain to other service providers in
       understanding the needs of Asian migrants living with HIV/AIDS and help
       developing strategies for support groups or access to HIV/AIDS services.
 DE    Asia/ETHNOLOGY  Australia  *Health Education  Homosexuality  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/*ETHNOLOGY  Male  *Social Support  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).