Knowledge, Self-efficacy, and Self-perceived Risk for Cardiovascular Disease among Asians Living With HIV: The Influence of HIV Stigma and Acculturation

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) have become major health concerns for people living with HIV (PLWH) as life expectancy has increased with antiretroviral therapy. Studies suggest that motivation to seek health care is associated with knowledge, self-efficacy to engage in the health care system, and self-perceived risks for CVD and ACS. Using cross-sectional data collected from 67 un-/under-insured Asian PLWH in California, we explored the levels of knowledge about CVD, self-efficacy for recognizing ACS symptoms and seeking health care, and self-perceived risk for CVD and ACS, and how HIV stigmatization and acculturation predict these three constructs. Our sample had limited knowledge and low self-perceived risk but had high self-efficacy. Stigmatization was negatively correlated with self-efficacy (p = .004) and acculturation was a positive predictor of knowledge (p = .013). Economically vulnerable Asian PLWH need culturally appropriate interventions to improve their knowledge and self-perceived risks for CVD and ACS.