Publications by authors named "V Chakrapani"
Background: Current programs to engage marginalized populations such as gay and bisexual individuals and other men who have sex with men (MSM) in HIV prevention interventions do not often reach all MSM who may benefit from them. To reduce the global burden of HIV, far-reaching strategies are needed to engage MSM in HIV prevention and treatment. Globally, including low- and middle-income countries, MSM are now widely using internet-based social and mobile technologies (SMTs; eg, dating apps, social media, and WhatsApp [Meta]), which provides an unprecedented opportunity to engage unreached and underserved groups, such as MSM for HIV prevention and care.
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- Research on the healthcare experiences of transmasculine individuals in India is limited, despite recent government efforts to improve access to gender-affirmative care.
- A study involving 40 qualitative interviews and a survey of 377 transmasculine people highlighted challenges in accessing care, including financial barriers and varying quality between public and private healthcare systems.
- While many faced stigma and disempowerment during psychological assessments, those who accessed care reported improved well-being; however, a notable percentage still expressed dissatisfaction with surgical outcomes.
Emotions play a vital role in recognizing a person's thoughts and vary significantly with stress levels. Emotion and stress classification have gained considerable attention in robotics and artificial intelligence applications. While numerous methods based on machine learning techniques provide average classification performance, recent deep learning approaches offer enhanced results.
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- The study assessed the acceptability and usability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) kits in India, finding that 97% of eligible participants accepted the kits and 95% found them easy to use and interpret.
- Participants largely preferred HIVST for future testing, with 88% indicating interest, and a significant portion (69%) willing to pay for the kits, although most preferred to pay less than $1.20.
- Out of those who tested positive using HIVST, 89% were linked to confirmatory testing, resulting in a high rate of HIV positive confirmations and successful initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Article Synopsis
- India has a significant HIV epidemic, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM), but struggles to implement effective prevention technologies like PrEP.
- A study surveyed MSM in Chennai and Mumbai to assess their willingness to use preventive methods and identified key product characteristics that influence their choices.
- Results showed a high acceptability for HIV prevention options, with efficacy being the most valued attribute, alongside side effects, dosing schedules, and usage venue preferences, which varied based on participants' education and income.