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Khalid A, Qaisar R, Ahmad F, Hussain MA, Karim A. Time-related changes in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among followers of various religions in India. F1000Res 2023; 12:460. [PMID: 38021402 PMCID: PMC10682603 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.133585.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The public knowledge levels about Human Immunodeficiency-Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) have been assessed in previous studies; however, time-related trends in association with socio-demographic standards among the followers of major religions in India are not known. Objectives We assessed the 2005-06, 2015-16, and 2019-21 demographic and health survey (DHS) data from India to investigate trends in the levels of knowledge of HIV/AIDS among Hindus, Muslims, and Christians in relation to standard socio-demographic variables over a period of 16 years. Methods The age range of the population was 15-54 years (n=611,821). The HIV/AIDS-related knowledge was assessed by developing a composite index based on ten questions about several aspects of HIV/AIDS, such as the mode of spread. We applied Chi-square and Kruskal-Wallis tests to investigate whether people had heard about HIV/AIDS and their overall HIV knowledge in relation to several socio-demographic standards. Results Generally, a higher increase in knowledge level was found between the first and second DHS surveys (2006-2016) as compared to between the second and third DHS surveys (2016-2021). We found the highest increase in the level of HIV/AIDS knowledge among Christian women followed by Hindus, whereas Muslims had the least increase over 16 years. Being a female, uneducated, poor, previously married, or having rural residence were associated with the highest increase in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Conclusion Christian women had the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge then came Christian men and followers of other religions. We also found the highest increase in HIV/AIDS-related knowledge among the poorest, uneducated, and rural residents. Our findings may help formulate public health strategies targeting various less knowledgeable groups to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amna Khalid
- Health Promotion Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Family and Community Medicine and Behavioral Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Rizwan Qaisar
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
| | - Firdos Ahmad
- Cardiovascular Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Abu Dhabi University, Abu Dhabi, 59911, United Arab Emirates
| | - M. Azhar Hussain
- Department of Finance and Economics, College of Business Administration, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Social Sciences and Business, Roskilde University, Roskilde, Region Zealand, DK-4000, Denmark
| | - Asima Karim
- Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
- Iron Biology Research Group, Research Institute of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, 27272, United Arab Emirates
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Bhat R, Sudhakar K, Kurien T, Rao ASRS. Strengthening India’s Response to HIV/AIDS Epidemic Through Strategic Planning, Innovative Financing, and Mathematical Modeling: Key Achievements over the Last 3 Decades. J Indian Inst Sci 2022; 102:791-809. [PMID: 36093271 PMCID: PMC9449298 DOI: 10.1007/s41745-022-00331-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Indian HIV/AIDS numbers during the 2000s did not reach the high proportion of estimations provided by the WHO and UNAIDS. The number of HIV infections was high around 2.4 million in the 2020s, but given the country’s population of 1.38 billion, the general positivity rate remained very low compared with several countries. There were several reasons for a successful control of the epidemic in India, for example, setting-up of the National AIDS Control Programs, strategic priorities, surveillance and data management, mathematical modeling, and coordinating with the civil society and galvanizing public response. In this review article, we will provide a recollection of India’s response and management of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, challenges, and successful model building, and future challenges that play important role in sustaining the epidemic at a lower level and plan for reducing the future transmissions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Thomas Kurien
- Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Kalapet, Pondicherry India
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Aggarwal S, Singh AK, Balaji S, Ambalkar D. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and its changing scenario: A scoping review. Comb Chem High Throughput Screen 2021; 25:1630-1638. [PMID: 33645477 DOI: 10.2174/1386207324666210301093001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs) have existed worldwide since ancient time, causing significant morbidity and mortality. To maintain healthy sexual and reproductive life, it is highly essential to prevent STIs, RTIs and related illnesses. STIs are transmitted by swapping body fluids among people during sexual intercourse. The etiological agents for STIs are bacteria, virus and parasites for most cases, but proportions by different aetiology are changing. Various studies have shown that STIs are increasing, and its primary aetiology is changing worldwide. That should be considered seriously and needs necessary actions. Several factors related to hosts and disease-causing agents have identified to influence STIs' current strategies in the prevention and control program. The present assessment attempts to review the history, changing aetiology and antimicrobial resistance in STIs. This review has also highlighted the prevalence of STIs at the global level and their past and present trends in India, emphasising its future challenges and perspectives for making effective public health policies to prevent and control STIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumit Aggarwal
- Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029. India
| | - Amit Kumar Singh
- ICMR-National JALMA Institute for Leprosy and other Mycobacterial diseases, Tajgani, Agra-282004. India
| | - Sivaraman Balaji
- Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Division, Indian Council of Medical Research-Headquarters, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029. India
| | - Deepti Ambalkar
- Department of lab medicine, Max Super speciality hospital, Saket Delhi -110017. India
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Belludi A, McFall AM, Solomon SS, Celentano DD, Mehta SH, Srikrishnan AK, Kumar MS, Solomon S, Lucas GM. Awareness of and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among people who inject drugs and men who have sex with men in India: Results from a multi-city cross-sectional survey. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247352. [PMID: 33630909 PMCID: PMC7906475 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Accepted: 02/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is effective in reducing HIV transmission among key populations. In India, where PrEP is not currently part of the national HIV program, little is known about PrEP awareness, willingness to use PrEP, and barriers to uptake among people who inject drugs (PWID) and men who have sex with men (MSM). Methods We used respondent-driven sampling to accrue PWID and MSM in 22 sites from August 2016 to May 2017. Participants were asked about awareness of PrEP, willingness to use PrEP (following a brief description) and reasons why they might not be willing to use PrEP. Participants were also queried on preferences for PrEP delivery modality (oral vs. injectable). Multi-level logistic regression models were used to determine participant correlates of willingness to use PrEP. Estimates were weighted for the sampling method. Results A total of 10,538 PWID and 8,621 MSM who self-reported being HIV-negative were included in the analysis. Only 6.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.9, 6.3) of PWID and 8.0% of MSM (95% CI: 7.7, 8.4) were aware of PrEP. However, willingness to use PrEP was substantially higher in both groups: 52.4% of PWID and 67.6% of MSM. Participants commonly cited a perceived low risk for acquiring HIV infection, being perceived by others as being HIV-positive, and side effects as reasons why they would be unwilling to use PrEP. Among PWID, sharing needles and hazardous alcohol use were associated with increased willingness to use PrEP. Among MSM, having a main male partner and injection drug use were associated with increased willingness to use PrEP. Preference for daily oral or monthly injectable PrEP was similar among MSM (39.6%% vs. 41.7%,), while PWID were more likely to prefer oral to injectable administration routes (56.3% vs. 31.1%). Conclusions As India plans to roll-out of PrEP in the public sector, our multi-city survey of PWID and MSM highlights the need for key population-focused education campaigns about PrEP and self-assessment of risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashwin Belludi
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Allison M. McFall
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sunil Suhas Solomon
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - David D. Celentano
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Shruti H. Mehta
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - A. K. Srikrishnan
- Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M. Suresh Kumar
- Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Suniti Solomon
- Y.R. Gaitonde Center for AIDS Research and Education, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gregory M. Lucas
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Santhakumar A, Mathiyazhakan M, Jaganathasamy N, Ganesh B, Manikandan N, Padmapriya VM, Monika A, David JK, Kumar A, Arumugam E. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with HIV Infection among Pregnant Women in Odisha State, India. Int J MCH AIDS 2020; 9:411-420. [PMID: 33163290 PMCID: PMC7604763 DOI: 10.21106/ijma.366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to analyze trends in HIV prevalence and risk factors associated with HIV infection among pregnant women attending antenatal clinics in Odisha State, India. METHODS Data were from the HIV Sentinel Surveillance (HSS) among pregnant women, a descriptive cross-sectional study using consecutive sampling method and conducted in India. Data and samples were collected from pregnant women attending select antenatal clinics that act as designated sentinel sites in Odisha State, India, during the three months surveillance period and in three surveillance years: 2013, 2015, and 2017. All eligible pregnant women aged between 15 and 49 years, attending the sentinel sites for the first time during the surveillance period, were included. Information on their socio-demographic characteristics and blood samples were also collected. RESULTS In total, 38,384 eligible pregnant women were included in the survey. Of these, 107 women were HIV positive, with an overall prevalence of 0.28%. HIV prevalence indicated a stabilizing trend between 2013 and 2017. However, pregnant women whose spouses were non-agricultural laborers, truck drivers, or migrants were significantly at higher risk of being infected. Likewise, HIV prevalence significantly increased over the years among pregnant women whose spouses were in the service sector (government or private). District-wise fluctuations in HIV prevalence was observed, with the district of Cuttack recording the highest prevalence among the districts. CONCLUSION AND GLOBAL HEALTH IMPLICATIONS Women who are spouses of non-agricultural laborers, truck drivers or migrants need focused interventions, such as creating awareness on HIV and its prevention. Migration, due to poverty and its impact on sexually transmitted diseases among migrants from low and middle-income countries, have been documented globally. Single male migrant specific interventions are recommended to halt the disease progression among pregnant women and general population in Odisha, India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aridoss Santhakumar
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Malathi Mathiyazhakan
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Nagaraj Jaganathasamy
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Balsubramanian Ganesh
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - N Manikandan
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - V M Padmapriya
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Angel Monika
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - Arvind Kumar
- National AIDS Control Organization, Ministry of Health Family Welfare, Government of India, 36 Janpath Road, New Delhi-110 001, India
| | - Elangovan Arumugam
- ICMR-National Institute of Epidemiology, R-127, 2 Main Road, TNHB, Ayapakkam, Chennai - 600 077, Tamil Nadu, India
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Gilks C. Role of communities in AIDS response. Indian J Med Res 2019; 150:515-517. [PMID: 32048613 PMCID: PMC7038813 DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.ijmr_2526_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Charles Gilks
- School of Public Health, Level 2, Public Health Building, The University of Queensland, Herston QLD 4006, Australia
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