Population Council Research that makes a difference

Avina Sarna, M.D.

Senior Associate and Country Director

A Simulated Clinical Trial to Explore Willingness to Participate and Methods for Improving Reporting of Adherence Among a Sex-worker Cohort in Nellore, India (more)
A simulated microbicides clinical study is being conducted in India to develop and test strategies for improving recruitment, adherence, and the reporting of adherence for future microbicides clinical trials.
(1/2008 - ongoing)
Topics: Microbicides; Sex workers
Countries: India

The AVHI Project: A Peer-driven Approach to Providing Injecting Drug Users with HIV Prevention Services in New Delhi, India (more)
Council researchers aim to avert HIV infections among injecting drugs users (IDUs) and their sexual and injecting partners in Delhi and increase the coverage and uptake of HIV prevention services, including counseling and testing, through an innovative, peer-driven strategy that recruits and enrolls IDUs into a comprehensive HIV prevention program.
(6/2010 - 11/2012)
Topics: Behavior change; HIV prevention; Injecting drug users; Vulnerable populations
Countries: India

Factors Affecting Enrollment of People Living with HIV and AIDS in ART Services in India (more)
To support increased utilization of the Government of India’s network of antiretroviral treatment (ART) centers, the Population Council identified factors that contribute to utilization of ART services among newly diagnosed HIV-positive people.
(3/2009 - 5/2010)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; People living with HIV; Vulnerable populations
Countries: India

Barriers to Uptake of Pediatric HIV Treatment and Care in Kenya: A Diagnostic Study (more)
Researchers with the Council’s Horizons program examined community awareness about pediatric HIV treatment in Kenya and barriers to caregivers in seeking treatment and care for their HIV-infected children in order to guide the development of a project to improve the uptake of pediatric treatment and care.
(3/2007 - 7/2007)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; PMTCT and pediatric HIV; Stigma and discrimination
Countries: Kenya

Community Education and Referral: Supporting Adherence to Antiretroviral Treatment and Prevention for People with HIV in Zambia (more)
This study sought to improve health-seeking behavior, equity of access to HIV services, adherence to ARV treatment, and prevention for people with HIV through a community preparedness strategy emphasizing community education and referral, and significant involvement of people with HIV and other stakeholders in the community.
(5/2004 - 6/2007)
Topics: Behavior change; HIV care, support, and treatment; HIV prevention
Countries: Zambia

From PPTCT to PPTCT Plus: Improving Access to Treatment, Care, and Support for HIV-positive Women and Their Families (more)
Council researchers explored the extent to which and how parent-to-child HIV transmission services are linked to other HIV and sexual and reproductive health services for HIV-infected mothers.
(7/2005 - 2/2007)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; People living with HIV; PMTCT and pediatric HIV
Countries: India

HIV Prevention with Positive People in Mombasa, Kenya: How Do We Reach Them in the Community? (more)
Council scientists conducted formative research to address the gap in information about how to identify and access HIV-positive persons who are not accessing care and treatment services as a first step in designing and implementing a prevention project in Mombasa, Kenya.
(4/2007 - 9/2007)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; HIV prevention; People living with HIV
Countries: Kenya

Operations Research Around the Introduction of Antiretrovirals in the Management of HIV-infected Individuals in Mombasa, Kenya (more)
The Council’s Horizons program tested an innovative DAART approach and compared it with the standard HAART approach in six health facilities in Kenya
(5/2003 - 6/2007)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; Stigma and discrimination
Countries: Kenya

Reducing Drop-outs and Increasing Adherence Rates Among People Living with HIV/AIDS on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Northern Thailand (more)
Council researchers with the Horizons program evaluated the use of practical guidelines and a clinic-counseling intervention in promoting short and long-term HIV/AIDS medication adherence in Thailand.
(11/2003 - 5/2007)
Topics: HIV care, support, and treatment; People living with HIV
Countries: Thailand

Avina Sarna, M.D.

Senior Associate and Country Director

Assessment of unsafe injection practices and sexual behaviors among male injecting drug users in two urban cities of India using respondent driven sampling  (abstract) (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Tun,Waimar; Bhattacharya,Aruna; Lewis,Dean; Singh,Yummam Shashikumar; Apicella,Louis
The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health 43(3): 652-667
Publication date: 2012

Characteristics of female sex workers in southern India willing and unwilling to participate in a placebo gel trial  (abstract) (PDF) 
Mensch,Barbara S.; Friedland,Barbara A.; Abbott,Sharon; Katzen,Lauren L.; Tun,Waimar; Kelly,Clifton A.; Sarna,Avina; Srikrishnan,Aylur K.; Solomon,Suniti
AIDS and Behavior Published online ahead of print, 21 August
Publication date: 2012

Sexual behavior of HIV-positive adults not accessing HIV treatment in Mombasa, Kenya: Defining their prevention needs  (abstract) (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Pickett,Melissa; Chersich,Matthew F.; Okal,Jerry; Geibel,Scott; King'ola,Nzioki; Temmerman,Marleen
AIDS Research and Therapy 9: 9-
Publication date: 2012

Validation of a dye stain assay for vaginally inserted hydroxyethylcellulose-filled microbicide applicators  (abstract) 
Katzen,Lauren L.; Fernandez-Romero,Jose A.; Sarna,Avina; Murugavel,Kailapuri G.; Gawarecki,Daniel; Zydowsky,Thomas M.; Mensch,Barbara S.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases 38(11): 1050-1055
Publication date: 2011

Access to antiretroviral therapy for adults and children with HIV infection in developing countries: Horizons studies, 2002-2008  (abstract) 
Sarna,Avina; Kellerman,Scott E.
Public Health Reports 125(2): 305-315
Publication date: 2010

Implementation of clinic-based modified-directly observed therapy (m-DOT) for ART: Experiences in Mombasa, Kenya  (abstract) 
Munyao,Paul; Luchters,Stanley; Chersich,Matthew F.; Kaai,Susan; Geibel,Scott; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi; Sarna,Avina
AIDS Care 22(2): 187-194
Publication date: 2010

Looking back, moving forward: Access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected adults and children in developing countries: Horizons Studies, 2002 to 2008  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Kellerman,Scott E.
Horizons Synthesis Background Papers
Publication date: 2010

Perceived stigma among patients receiving antiretroviral treatment: A prospective randomised trial comparing an m-DOT strategy with standard-of-care in Kenya  (abstract) 
Kaai,Susan; Bullock,Sandra; Sarna,Avina; Chersich,Matthew F.; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Munyao,Paul; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Journal of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS 7(2): 62-70
Publication date: 2010

Prevention with positives: How do we reach them in the community?  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Okal,Jerry; Luchters,Stanley; King'ola,Nzioki; Geibel,Scott
Publication date: 2010

Changes in sexual risk taking with antiretroviral treatment: Influence of context and gender norms in Mombasa, Kenya  (abstract) 
Sarna,Avina; Chersich,Matthew F.; Okal,Jerry; Luchters,Stanley; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
Culture, Health and Sexuality 11(8): 783-797
Publication date: 2009

Satisfaction with peer educators among HIV infected persons  (abstract) 
Suwanteerangkul,Jiraporn; Chariyalertsak,Suwat; Oberdorfer,Peninnah; Thapinta,Darawan; Wu,Albert W.; Sarna,Avina; Guest,Philip
Chiang Mai Medical Journal 48(3): 95-104
Publication date: 2009

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its determinants amongst HIV patients in India  (abstract) (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Pujari,Sanjay; Sengar,A.K.; Garg,Rajiv; Gupta,Indrani; van Dam,C.Johannes
Indian Journal of Medical Research 127(1): 28-36
Publication date: 2008

Engaging communities in supporting HIV prevention and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in Zambia  (PDF) 
Samuels,Fiona; Simbaya,Joseph; Sarna,Avina; Geibel,Scott; Ndubani,Phillimon; Kamwanga,Jolly
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2008

'If you build it, will they come?' Kenya healthy start pediatric HIV study: A diagnostic study investigating barriers to HIV treatment and care among children  (PDF) 
Kiragu,Karusa; Schenk,Katie D.; Murugi,Julie; Sarna,Avina
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2008

Safer sexual behaviours after 12 months of antiretroviral treatment in Mombasa Kenya: A prospective cohort  (abstract) (PDF) 
Luchters,Stanley; Sarna,Avina; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Munyao,Paul; Kaai,Susan; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Shikely,Khadija; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
AIDS Patient Care and STDs 22(7): 587-594
Publication date: 2008

Sexual risk behavior and HAART: A comparative study of HIV-infected persons on HAART and on preventive therapy in Kenya  (abstract) 
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Kaai,Susan; Munyao,Paul; Shikely,Khadija; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; van Dam,C.Johannes; Temmerman,Marleen
International Journal of STD and AIDS 19(2): 85-89
Publication date: 2008

Short- and long-term efficacy of modified directly-observed antiretroviral treatment in Mombasa, Kenya: A randomised trial  (abstract) 
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Munyao,Paul; Kaai,Susan; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Shikely,Khadija; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 48(5): 611-619
Publication date: 2008

Assessment of sexual behaviours and sexual networks of injecting drug users in Delhi and Imphal, India 
Sarna,Avina; Tun,Waimar; Bhattacharya,Aruna; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Apicella,Louis; Selhore,Neville; Singh,Arjun
Publication date: 2007

Changes in stigma among a cohort of people on antiretroviral therapy: Findings from Mombasa, Kenya  (PDF) 
Kaai,Susan; Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Munyao,Paul; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Shikely,Khadija; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007

Continuum of care for HIV-positive women accessing programs to prevent parent-to-child transmission: Findings from India  (PDF) 
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Mudoi,Rupa; Oinam,Archana; Pakkela,Venkat; Sarna,Avina; Panda,Sucheta; Rau,Ashok; Birendrajit Singh,L.; Rutenberg,Naomi
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2007

Current research and good practice in HIV and AIDS treatment education  (PDF) (HTML) 
Sarna,Avina; Weiss,Ellen
Publication date: 2007

Exploring the barriers to accessing care and treatment for HIV-infected children in India: A diagnostic study  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Ahmad,Jaleel; Alexander,Glory; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Rau,Ashok; Singh,Arjun; Rutenberg,Naomi
Update, (April)
Publication date: 2007

Identifying areas for linkages between HIV and SRH for vulnerable populations: An exploratory study to assess female sex workers' sexual and reproductive health needs  (PDF) 
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Mehrotra,Sushma; Srikanthi,B.; Panda,Sucheta; Sarna,Avina; Jayasree,A.K.; Prasad,Rajendra; Rutenberg,Naomi
Update, (April)
Publication date: 2007

Impact of antiretroviral therapy on household economics: Findings from Mombasa, Kenya  (PDF) 
Homan,Rick; Jaikishan,Desai; Munyao,Paul; Sarna,Avina; Geibel,Scott
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007

Injecting drug users in India: Understanding sexual behaviours and sexual networks to design effective behaviour change strategies  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Tun,Waimar; Bhattacharya,Aruna; Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Selhore,Neville; Singh,Arjun; Apicella,Louis
Update, (April)
Publication date: 2007

Promoting adherence through a directly administered antiretroviral therapy strategy in Mombasa, Kenya  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Munyao,Paul; Homan,Rick; Kaai,Susan; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Temmerman,Marleen; Rutenberg,Naomi
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007

Sexual risk behaviors of HIV-positive persons receiving ART in Mombasa, Kenya: Longitudinal study findings  (PDF) 
Luchters,Stanley; Sarna,Avina; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Munyao,Paul; Kaai,Susan; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
Horizons Research Summary
Publication date: 2007

Examining adherence and sexual behavior among patients on antiretroviral therapy in India  (PDF) 
Sarna,Avina; Gupta,Indrani; Pujari,Sanjay; Sengar,A.K.; Garg,Rajiv; Weiss,Ellen
Horizons Final Report
Publication date: 2006

Operations research  (PDF) 
Kaai,Susan; Sarna,Avina; van Dam,C.Johannes; Hawken,Mark; Ritzenthaler,Robert
from Delivering Antiretroviral Therapy in Resource-Constrained Settings, pp. 105-112
Publication date: 2005

Sexual behaviour of HIV-infected men currently on ART 
Sarna,Avina; Pujari,Sanjay; Gupta,Indrani; Sengar,A.K.; Garg,Rajiv; van Dam,C.Johannes
from Enhancing Male Partnerships in Sexual and Reproductive Health, pp. 165-178
Publication date: 2005

Avina Sarna, M.D.

Senior Associate and Country Director

Effectiveness of a community health worker delivered HIV prevention intervention for people living with HIV not receiving ART: A prospective cohort study (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the XIX International AIDS Conference, Washington, DC, 24 July
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Musenge,Eustasius; Okal,Jerry; Chersich,Matthew F.; Tun,Waimar; Mall,Sabine; King'ola,Nzioki; Kalibala,Sam
Publication date: 2012

Factors affecting access to and enrolment in ART services in India: Findings from qualitative data (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the XIX International AIDS Conference, Washington, DC, 25 July
Battala,Madhusudana; Sebastian,Mary Philip; Bachani,Damodar; Sogarwal,Ruchi; Sarna,Avina
Publication date: 2012

Uptake of HIV testing and HIV prevalence in a cohort of injecting drug users in Delhi, India (PDF) 
Poster presentation at the XIX International AIDS Conference, Washington, DC, 26 July
Sarna,Avina; Sharma,Vartika; Sebastian,Mary Philip; Dhingra,Neeraj; Yadav,A.; Sheehy,Meredith; Madan,I.; Thior,Ibou; Lewis,D.; Tun,Waimar
Publication date: 2012

Exploring the context of HIV testing and disclosure among patients on ARV treatment in Mombasa, Kenya (abstract)  
Poster presentation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference, Vienna, 19 July
Okal,Jerry; Sarna,Avina; Syengo,Masila; Luchters,Stanley; Chersich,Matthew F.; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
Publication date: 2010

Understanding factors that influence uptake of ART services in India: A study of service data from antiretroviral treatment centers (ARTCs) across seven states (abstract)  
Poster presentation at the XVIII International AIDS Conference, Vienna, 20 July
Sarna,Avina; Bachani,Damodar; Sogarwal,Ruchi; Battala,Madhusudana; Saggurti,Niranjan; Sebastian,Mary Philip
Publication date: 2010

Sexual risk behaviours of HIV-positive persons not receiving HIV treatment in Mombasa
 (PDF) 
Poster presentation at 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, Cape Town, 19-22 July
Sarna,Avina; Chersich,Matthew F.; Luchters,Stanley; Pickett,Melissa; Tun,Waimar; Okal,Jerry; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
Publication date: 2009

Prevention for positives (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons end-of-project meeting, 20 March
Sarna,Avina
Publication date: 2008

Supporting adherence: The role of health services, the family, and community (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons end-of-project meeting, 20 March
Sarna,Avina
Publication date: 2008

Fertility intentions and family planning needs of HIV-infected women receiving PPTCT services in India --Experiences from diagnostic research (PDF) 
Presentation at Scaling Up High-Impact FP/MNCH Best Practices: Achieving the Millennium Development Goals in Asia and the Near East Technical Meeting, Bangkok, 3-8 September
Mahendra,Vaishali Sharma; Rutenberg,Naomi; Sarna,Avina; Mudoi,Rupa; Oinam,Archana; Pakkela,Venkat; Rau,Ashok; Birendrajit Singh,L.; Panda,Sucheta
Publication date: 2007

Impact of a DAART intervention on ART adherence in Mombasa: Results from an 18 month randomized controlled study (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons/Population Council Kenya National Dissemination Workshop, Nairobi, 29 August
Sarna,Avina; Luchters,Stanley; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Kaai,Susan; Shikely,Khadija; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Munyao,Paul; Rutenberg,Naomi
Publication date: 2007

Kenya Pediatric HIV/AIDS Study (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons/Population Council Kenya National Dissemination Workshop, Nairobi, 29 August
Kiragu,Karusa; Sarna,Avina; Schenk,Katie D.
Publication date: 2007

Recruitment of injection drug users in two cities in India using respondent-driven sampling for an HIV-related behavioral survey (PDF) 
Presentation at Second International Conference on Surveying Health in Complex Situations, Brussels, June
Tun,Waimar; Sarna,Avina; Bhattacharya,Aruna; Apicella,Louis
Publication date: 2007

Sexual risk behaviors of persons receiving ART in Mombasa: Findings from a longitudinal study (PDF) 
Presentation at the Horizons/Population Council Kenya National Dissemination Workshop, Nairobi, 29 August
Luchters,Stanley; Sarna,Avina; Geibel,Scott; Chersich,Matthew F.; Munyao,Paul; Kaai,Susan; Mandaliya,Kishorchandra N.; Rutenberg,Naomi; Temmerman,Marleen
Publication date: 2007