People living with HIV and key populations in Arunachal Pradesh: A communication needs assessment.
5 affiliations
- 1Department of Community Medicine, Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- 2Department of Pharmacology, Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- 3Project Director, State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- 4Joint Director (BSD), State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
- 5Deputy Director (SI), State AIDS Control Society (APSACS), Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India.
Abstract
Background and objectives Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh has the highest number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive recorded cases. A communication needs assessment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as well as key populations (KPs) is a necessity to understand health status, needs, and issues relating to HIV. This study was undertaken to describe the demographic characteristics of PLHIV and KPs and to identify their communication needs/preferences for HIV services in Arunachal Pradesh. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLHIV and KPs of Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 80 PLHIV could be traced; the ratio of PLHIV and KPs was decided to be 1: 4 thus including 342 individuals of KP. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling technique. Both primary (using predesigned and pretested schedules) and secondary data (from government official records) were collected for the study. Results Total of 62 (77.5%) of PLHIV were in the age group of 18-28 y. About 37 (46%) PLHIV preferred face to face channel for communication. The most preferred channel of communication with healthcare providers among injecting drug users (IDUs), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSMs) was face-to-face communication. Only 20 (25%) of the participants were receiving treatment for HIV infection. All FSWs, 55 MSMs (87.3%) and 36 IDUs (51.4%) had never received any messages regarding HIV self-testing (HIVST) services. Interpretation and conclusions Persistent behavioral risks and suboptimal use of HIV prevention and treatment services were observed among PLHIV and key populations. Strengthening confidential, interpersonal counselling and awareness through preferred communication channels may improve HIV prevention and care outcomes.
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BibTeX
@article{paul2026people,
title = {{People living with HIV and key populations in Arunachal Pradesh: A communication needs assessment.}},
author = {Debarshi Paul and Naba Jyoti Saikia and Anoop Dev and Pallavi Boro and Binita Singha and Marbom Basar and Annong Borang and Koj Tara},
journal = {The Indian journal of medical research},
year = {2026},
month = aug,
doi = {10.25259/ijmr_1811_2025},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42851219},
note = {CC BY-NC-SA},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - People living with HIV and key populations in Arunachal Pradesh: A communication needs assessment.
AU - Debarshi Paul
AU - Naba Jyoti Saikia
AU - Anoop Dev
AU - Pallavi Boro
AU - Binita Singha
AU - Marbom Basar
AU - Annong Borang
AU - Koj Tara
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/08/01
JO - The Indian journal of medical research
DO - 10.25259/ijmr_1811_2025
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42851219
AB - Background and objectives Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh has the highest number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive recorded cases. A communication needs assessment for people living with HIV (PLHIV) as well as key populations (KPs) is a necessity to understand health status, needs, and issues relating to HIV. This study was undertaken to describe the demographic characteristics of PLHIV and KPs and to identify their communication needs/preferences for HIV services in Arunachal Pradesh. Methods A community based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLHIV and KPs of Papum Pare district of Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 80 PLHIV could be traced; the ratio of PLHIV and KPs was decided to be 1: 4 thus including 342 individuals of KP. Participants were selected using the snowball sampling technique. Both primary (using predesigned and pretested schedules) and secondary data (from government official records) were collected for the study. Results Total of 62 (77.5%) of PLHIV were in the age group of 18-28 y. About 37 (46%) PLHIV preferred face to face channel for communication. The most preferred channel of communication with healthcare providers among injecting drug users (IDUs), female sex workers (FSWs), and men who have sex with men (MSMs) was face-to-face communication. Only 20 (25%) of the participants were receiving treatment for HIV infection. All FSWs, 55 MSMs (87.3%) and 36 IDUs (51.4%) had never received any messages regarding HIV self-testing (HIVST) services. Interpretation and conclusions Persistent behavioral risks and suboptimal use of HIV prevention and treatment services were observed among PLHIV and key populations. Strengthening confidential, interpersonal counselling and awareness through preferred communication channels may improve HIV prevention and care outcomes.
SN - 0971-5916
ER -