Targeted HIV seroprevalence among Vietnamese in southern California

Abstract

Objective-The prevalence of HIV among southern California Vietnamese is unknown. We collected seroprevalence data on targeted Vietnamese in Orange County, California who may be at risk for HIV infection. Methods-The assumption of elevated risk was based on rates of infection vreported among other U.S. groups. Vietnamese (N =874) from six county sites were tested during 1992: (1) attendees at county HIVISTD clinics and (2) IDU program; (3) male inmates of the county jail and (4) of a juvenile detention centre; (5) males in a driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) remedial program; and (6) patients for nonpregnancyrelated syphilis screening. Results-The number of cases detected and risk factors were: (1) county HIVISTD clinics-51223 (2.3%), all men who had sex with men; (2) men's jail-11122 (0.8%), risk factors unknown; (3) juvenile hall-11145 (0.7%), risk factors unknown; (4) IDU program-0133; (5) syphilis screening-01284; and (6) DUI program-0167. Conclusions-HIV infection exists among southern California Vietnamese, and men who have sex with men appear to be at a risk for HIV infection similar to others practicing high risk behaviors in the U.S. population. Preventive education needs to be targeted explicitly at these individuals.