Publications by authors named "C M Chetty-Makkan"
Article Synopsis
- South African adolescents are at high risk for HIV due to engaging in risky sexual behaviors, and effective communication between them and their caregivers is crucial for better decision-making.
- A qualitative study involving 17 adolescents and 19 caregivers revealed that while adolescents had access to sexual education, their understanding did not lead to healthier choices, largely due to barriers in communication and support.
- The study highlighted that female adolescents and caregivers could discuss sexual matters, but males faced discomfort and distrust, indicating the need for structured communication tools to facilitate these discussions and improve sexual health outcomes.
Introduction: One-way text messaging to re-engage people in HIV care has shown promise, but little is known about two-way messaging where the recipient is asked to respond. We evaluated a two-way text messaging intervention, informed by behavioural science, to increase re-engagement in care following missed antiretroviral therapy (ART) visits.
Methods: We conducted an individual-level randomised controlled trial between February and March 2023 in Capricorn District, South Africa.
Background: While voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 60%, circumcision coverage falls short of the UNAIDS 90% VMMC target. We investigated whether behaviorally informed message framing increased demand for VMMC.
Setting: Adult users of the MoyaApp, a data-free application in South Africa, who viewed a form designed to generate interest in VMMC from August 2022 to November 2022.
Expanding free HIV testing service (HTS) access to include private clinics could increase testing rates. A donor funded programme, GP Care Cell, offered free HIV testing at selected private doctor-led clinics but uptake was low. We investigated whether HTS demand creation materials that used behavioural economics principles could increase demand for HIV testing at these clinics.
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- - Adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa are highly vulnerable to HIV, STIs, and unintended pregnancies, prompting a study in Rustenburg, South Africa that followed 223 participants aged 12-19 to better understand their unique healthcare needs over 12 months.
- - The study revealed that among sexually active participants, the incidences of HIV and STIs were notably higher for females, with significant statistics showing 1.5 HIV cases, 15.7 chlamydia cases, and 15.0 pregnancies per 100 person-years at risk.
- - Some participants, particularly younger ones, experienced unexpected pregnancies and STIs even without reported sexual activity; the study also faced disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, requiring