A lthough Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI’s) comprise less than 1% of all reported AIDS cases in the United States, the Centers for Disease Control has recognized API’s as an emerging risk group due to significant increases in HIV infections and AIDS cases. Most of API AIDS cases are clustered in major metropolitan areas such as New York, San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles. Most are foreign born with diverse cultural backgrounds and linguistic needs. While AANHPI men who have sex with men (MSM’s) account for most of these cases, women and transgender cases are also on the rise. To date, little research has been conducted with these populations and, thus, little is known to shape local and national policy to inform providers about the specific needs of these communities and the appropriate interventions to implement.

The Men of Asia Testing for HIV Study consortium is a multi-level, national research partnership that aims to collect behavioral and epidemiological data on 2000 Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men (MSM) conducted at 7 community-based partner sites in 5 major metropolitan areas to reflect the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asian & Pacific Islander communities and the community health infrastructure responding to it.

The research also aims to build a mutually beneficial partnership that will enhance this response and collect data that is most beneficial to the community. In addition, national data on API MSM collected through this consortium can augment statistical power to the low prevalence reported in both local and national surveillance data. Involving community in a research study optimizes relevance and the use of data and findings of the study. With the need for a national data set on Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men (MSM’s), participation of members of the target population, community stakeholders, and service providers is pertinent in shaping a culturally relevant study design, producing useful data analysis, and the appropriate dissemination of findings.

THE MATH CONSORTIUM MODEL

The MATH Consortium consists of the consortium convener, the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF), seven API Community Partners, two scientific research alliances, and a community advisory board. These groups bring years of experience in delivering HIV prevention & treatment service to the API population and in conducting scientific, community-based research.  

Scientific Partners

Georgetown University is the primary responsible agency, headed by Dr. Frank Wong, providing fiscal oversight and research experience in API communities while the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) provides the bio-medical expertise, headed by Dr. Tri Do. These two researchers have been in a prior mentoring partnership, working also on API MSM studies.

The scientific partners also include the National AAPI HIV Research Network and the National Surveillance and Testing Alliance who advise the consortium (channeled through UCSF) on scientific, methodological, and laboratory related issues. This includes study design , validity of outreach, recruitment strategies , survey / behavioral instrument design , laboratory testing, specimen logistics , analysis plan and manuscript preparation.

Community Partners

Subcontracted by Georgetown University, the community-based organization (CBO) partners, Massachusetts Asians and Pacific Islanders for Health (MAPfH) in Boston, Asian and Pacific Islander Coalition on HIV/AIDS (APICHA) in New York, AIDS Services In Asian Communities (ASIAC) in Philadelphia, Asian Pacific AIDS Intervention Team (APAIT) in Los Angeles, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI) in San Jose, Asian Health Services (AHS) in Oakland and Asian and Pacific Islander Wellness Center (APIWC) in San Francisco collect behavioral and prevalence data by recruiting participants at local venues and through respondent-driven sampling (RDS).

The community advisory board (CAB), consisting of members of the target population, serves as the unique link between the researchers and the community to optimize the success of the study and its relevance by providing the unique perspectives and knowledge of the communities they represent, assist in identifying outreach venues, and reviewing study materials, behavioral survey, and the protocol. The input of the CAB will help to ensure the best way to go about conducting the study, addressing challenges that might come up and/or brainstorming strategies when needed, all in consideration of the cultural features and needs of the target population.

The MATH study consortium is convened by the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum to facilitate communication between researchers and the community partners in order to deliver data outcomes in consideration of the needs of CBO partners and target population, to provide additional capacity building assistance, and to convene a community advisory board. APIAHF serves on the scientific team and contributes to the decision making process as well as executing logistical goals related to CBO partner participation.

GOALS OF THE CONSORTIUM

• Enhance community-based infrastructure to conduct research in Asian and Pacific Islander communities
• Build or improve upon sustainable HIV testing capacity in Asian and Pacific Islander communities
• Increase outreach to hard-to-reach populations
• Develop mutually beneficial partnerships between researchers and community stakeholders
• Create relevant data to shape health policies and interventions that impact Asian and Pacific Islander men who have sex with men

RESEARCH QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE CONSORTIUM MODEL

• In what ways is the consortium model effective in producing relevant research data and findings?
• What challenges do consortium partners face in conducting research focused on API MSM?
• What are the policy, funding, and institutional-related facilitators and barriers for AAPI CBOs and researchers in conducting collaborative research?
• In what ways does the consortium model effectively contribute to sustainable community infrastructures that address health disparities?