Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

Sowmya Ramesh

Publications

• Research Article
  Self-Report of STI Symptoms, Inconsistent Condom use and Condom Nonuse are Poor Predictors of STI Prevalence among Men who have Sex with Men
  Author(s): Karikalan Nagarajan, Sheela Godbole, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Mandar K. Mainkar, Sowmya Ramesh, Deepika Ganju and Ramesh S ParanjapeKarikalan Nagarajan, Sheela Godbole, Lakshmi Ramakrishnan, Mandar K. Mainkar, Sowmya Ramesh, Deepika Ganju and Ramesh S Paranjape
  
  Background: Biological testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) are challenged by sample collection and high testing costs, where self-reports are used in predicting STI status. The validity of self-reports among populations at STI risk has not been established clearly. The objective of this paper is to assess the validity of selfreported ‘STI symptoms’, self-reported ‘recent condom non- use’ and ‘inconsistent condom use’ in comparison with laboratory diagnosed STIs among men who have sex with men (MSM) in India.   Methods: Data were drawn from a cross sectional Integrated Behavioural and Biological Assessment survey conducted among MSM between 2005-2007 in India. Sensitivity analysis was used to assess the validity of selfreported ‘STI symptoms’, ‘recent condom non-use’ and ‘inconsistent c.. Read More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2155-6113.1000212

  Abstract PDF