Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) Awareness and HIV Treatment Optimism Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Mumbai, India
Little is known about Undetectable=Untransmittable (U = U) awareness among MSM in India. We analyzed baseline survey data from MSM (N = 1004) in an mHealth HIV testing trial in Mumbai and Thane, India. We assessed factors associated with U = U awareness and agreement (HIV treatment optimism) using multivariable Poisson regression. U = U awareness (29%) was associated with English survey completion, searching for sexual health information online, awareness of PrEP/PEP, and participation in MSM-focused HIV prevention programs (all P < 0.05). Overall, 50% of the participants agreed with HIV treatment optimism, which was associated with searching for sexual health information online, PrEP knowledge, and being out about their sexual orientation. Focused, culturally tailored U = U education is needed to improve awareness and treatment optimism among diverse Indian MSM.
Authors
- Sarit A. Golub (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1644-1076)
- Venkatesan Chakrapani (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9998-9135)
- R. Kim
- Alpana Dange (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0740-6487)
- Jatin Chaudary
- K. Mayer
- Naveen Mutyala (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2289-4438)
- Viraj V. Patel
- Shruta Rawat
- Julia Arnsten
Institutions
- Albert Einstein College of Medicine (US)
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (US)
- Harvard University (US)
- University of Mumbai (IN)
- City University of New York (US)
- Humsafar Trust (IN)
- Hunter College (US)
- Montefiore Health System (US)
- Centre for Sexuality and Health Research and Policy (IN)
- Oldham Council (GB)
- Fenway Health (US)
Publication Details
- Journal
- AIDS and Behavior
- Published
- 2026-02-24
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-026-05063-z
- Primary Topic
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00