PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

Smarajit Jana

Publications and source records attributed to Smarajit Jana.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Could the CARE-SHAKTI intervention for injecting drug users be maintaining the low HIV prevalence in Dhaka, Bangladesh?

AIMS: To explore whether the low HIV prevalence observed in Bangladesh results from prevention activities, this study uses mathematical modelling to estimate the impact of a needle/syringe exchange intervention for injecting drug users (IDUs) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. DESIGN: Epidemiological, behavioural and intervention monitoring data were used to parameterize a dynamic mathematical model, and fit it to National HIV Sero-surveillance data among IDUs (2000-02). The model was used to estimate the impact of the intervention on HIV transmission among IDUs and their sexual partners. SETTING: Dhaka, Bangladesh, where the HIV prevalence has remained low despite high-risk sexual and injecting behaviours, and growing HIV epidemics in neighbouring countries. FINDINGS: The model predicts that the intervention may have reduced the incidence of HIV among IDUs by 90% (95% CI 74-94%), resulting in an IDU HIV prevalence of 10% (95% CI 4-19%) after 8 years of intervention activity instead of 42% (95% CI 30-47%) if the intervention had not occurred. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis highlights the potential for rapid HIV spread among IDUs in Dhaka, and suggests that the intervention may have substantially reduced IDU HIV transmission. However, there is no room for complacency. Sustained and expanded funding for interventions in Dhaka and other regions of Bangladesh are crucial to maintaining the low HIV prevalence.

Bangladesh↗
PubMed2005

Determination of gag subtypes of HIV type 1 detected among female sex workers in Calcutta, India.

HIV-1 subtyping is important to study the changing scenario of genetic variation. The gag-based heteroduplex mobility assay (gag-HMA) was developed and evaluated as a powerful and reliable technique for identifying the HIV-1 group M subtypes A to H and the circulating recombinant forms (CRFs). To study the subtype distribution of HIV-1 strains from the eastern part of India, we used the gag-based HMA, followed by the sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Blood samples from HIV-1-seropositive female sex workers in Calcutta were subjected to gag-HMA. The most prevalent subtype was found to be the C type, among which the C4 subsubtype was prevalent. However, a number of nontypable C strains were found in gag-HMA. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the discrete nature of the C strains and no monophyletic cluster was noticed. This result might indicate a growing tendency of variations among the HIV-1 type C strains circulating in eastern India.

Female↗
PubMed2005

Evaluation of sexually transmitted diseases/human immunodeficiency virus intervention programs for sex workers in Calcutta, India.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Sonagachi Project in Calcutta, India, organized sex workers to improve working conditions. GOAL: To compare rates of sexually transmitted diseases between the Sonagachi Project and other areas in which only the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) interventions were implemented. STUDY: A cross-sectional survey of randomly selected female sex workers. RESULTS: There was no difference in the prevalence of all STDs between the 2 areas; both were lower than reported in other surveys in 1992. Analysis using propensity scores also failed to demonstrate any difference. The number of preventive activities was similar in the Sonagachi and NACO-only areas but was more prevalent than in 1992. Sex workers in the Sonagachi area had better treatment-seeking behavior and attitudes. Both the Sonagachi and NACO strategies have resulted in lower STD rates, but the Sonagachi Project also increased the proportion who had an optimistic attitude and increased prevention and treatment-seeking behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Phylogenetic analysis of the p24-p7 region of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 gag gene to determine subtype distribution among female sex workers in Calcutta, India.

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) subtype C, based on the envelope region, has been reported to be predominant in India. We sequenced the p24-p7 gag region from 51 HIV-1 seropositive female sex workers in Calcutta, India, for more-detailed molecular characterization. Subtype C was found to be prevalent, although no strong monophyletic cluster was observed.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

HIV prevention among sex workers in India.

To test the efficacy of a sustainable community-level HIV intervention among sex workers, the Sonagachi Project was replicated, including community organizing and advocacy, peer education, condom social marketing, and establishment of a health clinic. Sex workers were randomly selected in 2 small urban communities in northeastern India (n = 100 each) and assessed every 5-6 months over 15 months (85% retention). Overall condom use increased significantly in the intervention community (39%) compared with the control community (11%), and the proportion of consistent condom users increased 25% in the intervention community compared with a 16% decrease in the control community. This study supports the efficacy of the Sonagachi model intervention in increasing condom use and maintaining low HIV prevalence among sex workers.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

The Sonagachi Project: a sustainable community intervention program.

High rates of HIV infection among sex workers in India indicate the importance of understanding the process of establishing a sustainable community intervention program. The Sonagachi Project, based in Calcutta, India, has been associated with lower HIV rates among sex workers as compared to other urban centers in India. The program defined HIV as an occupational health problem and included multifaceted, multilevel interventions addressing community (having a high-status advocate; addressing environmental barriers and resources), group (changing social relationships), and individual factors (improving skills and competencies related to HIV prevention and treatment). The Sonagachi Project's core concepts and strategies evolved as community needs were expressed and defined. In particular, the program was not initially conceptualized as a community empowerment project but emerged over time, allowing for project sustainability. Project components appear to be replicable across settings within India and worldwide.

Consumer Advocacy↗