komal mittal - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by komal mittal

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding Health Needs of Transgender

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

Transgenders are individuals whose gender identity does not conform to gender norms and expectati... more Transgenders are individuals whose gender identity does not conform to gender norms and expectations traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth. It is an identity or expression when gender differs from sex. Those who have medical interventions to transition from one sex to another identify as transsexuals.

Research paper thumbnail of The Way Forward

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

The field of self-care interventions is new, fast moving, and multi-disciplinary. There is a need... more The field of self-care interventions is new, fast moving, and multi-disciplinary. There is a need to explore the way ahead in advancing the field so that self-care forms an integral part of health programs. In order to move this agenda forward, a comprehensive strategy is needed. This includes training health professionals on SRHR self-care interventions; providing education to potential clients; making self-care technologies available and accessible to potential users; promoting the use of digital and online resources to accelerate self-care; and providing research-based evidence for the formulation of policies and programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Female Sex Work Dynamics: Empowerment, Mobilization, Mobility

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

UNAIDS defines sex work as selling sexual services (Ditmore in Joint United Nations Programme on ... more UNAIDS defines sex work as selling sexual services (Ditmore in Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS, 2008, [1]). Sex workers involved in sexual relations with multiple partners are a key group of women who need access to comprehensive sexual health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, and care (Lafort et al. in Reproductive health services for populations at high risk of HIV: performance of a night clinic in Tete province, Mozambique. BMC Health Services Research, 2010, [2]). There are a broad range of sex workers in various locations including those who are street-based and brothel-based, those who work as escorts, and those who work from their own homes.

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual Behaviors of Long-Distance Truck Drivers

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

Truck drivers are a group of recognized marginalized people who are sexually active during their ... more Truck drivers are a group of recognized marginalized people who are sexually active during their long driving hours. Their exhausting working environment causing lethargy and mental fatigue stirs them to have sex (Essuon et al. in J Health Care Poor Underserved 20:40–52, 2009, [1]). Long-distance truck drivers transport goods over hundreds and even thousands of miles. They may drive flatbed rigs, which are used for carrying steel, or tankers and tractor trailers. They usually drive at night when traffic is light (American Trucking Associations in Long-haul truck driver: definition and nature of work. American Trucking Associations, Encyclopedia, 2020, [2]). Truck drivers and interstate migrants are important bridge populations for the transmission of HIV infection (Pandey et al. in AIDS 22(5):81–90, 2008, [3]).

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in India

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

SpringerBriefs in Public Health present concise summaries of cutting-edge research and practical ... more SpringerBriefs in Public Health present concise summaries of cutting-edge research and practical applications from across the entire field of public health, with contributions from medicine, bioethics, health economics, public policy, biostatistics, and sociology. The focus of the series is to highlight current topics in public health of interest to a global audience, including health care policy; social determinants of health; health issues in developing countries; new research methods; chronic and infectious disease epidemics; and innovative health interventions. Featuring compact volumes of 50 to 125 pages, the series covers a range of content from professional to academic. Possible volumes in the series may consist of timely reports of state-of-the art analytical techniques, reports from the field, snapshots of hot and/or emerging topics, elaborated theses, literature reviews, and in-depth case studies. Both solicited and unsolicited manuscripts are considered for publication in this series. Briefs are published as part of Springer's eBook collection, with millions of users worldwide. In addition, Briefs are available for individual print and electronic purchase. Briefs are characterized by fast, global electronic dissemination, standard publishing contracts, easy-to-use manuscript preparation and formatting guidelines, and expedited production schedules. We aim for publication 8-12 weeks after acceptance.

Research paper thumbnail of Men who have sex with men

AIDS Care, 1992

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with members of the same se... more Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, regardless of how they identify themselves. In India, same-sex behavior and relations tend to be much more fluid. These men may identify as gay, homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, or may dispense with sexual identity altogether [1]. Indian terms are kothi (receptive or effeminate male partner), panthi (stereotypically penetrative or masculine male partner), "double deckers" (men who engage in both penetrative and receptive anal sexes) maybe invoked to describe their sexual identity, as opposed to thinking of themselves as "gay" (which may be perceived to be a foreign term) [2]. A study conducted in Asia by Dowsett, Grierson, and McNally showed that the MSM population does not have similar traits other than being males and engaging in sex with other men [3]. The study concluded that the term MSM does not correspond to a single social identity. It refers to different behaviors and social identities [3, 4]. Public health researchers have sought to distinguish sexual orientation from sexual behaviors. In 2015, WHO estimated that the median HIV prevalence in MSM ranged from 4.3% in South East Asia to 14.9 percent in the African region [5]. Criminalization of consensual, adult same-sex behavior and stigma, discrimination, and violence against men who have sex with men has created an environment which compromises people's human rights [6]. To improve sustained, comprehensive, and effective HIV prevention, and testing and treatment efforts in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, WHO works closely with UNDP and UNAIDS to advocate for the implementation of a human rights-based approach for the prevention and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [5]. The United States Department of Health and Human Services through the Affordable Care Act, 2012, offers new protection which includes preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons [7].

Research paper thumbnail of Self-care: Concept, Rationale, and Framework

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

The role and importance of self-care in the continuum of health care are becoming important subje... more The role and importance of self-care in the continuum of health care are becoming important subjects of debate among social scientists and health professionals. Interest in the self-care component of health services is stimulated by the convergence of diverse pressures common to health services systems. Depersonalized medical care, rising costs of high technology, focus on curative care, growth of lay knowledge, recognition of the limits of medical care, and documentation of the impact of the individual’s health behavior on patterns of morbidity are all factors stimulating new thinking regarding the importance of individuals and families to the effective and efficient functioning of health service systems.

Research paper thumbnail of Understanding Health Needs of Transgender

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

Transgenders are individuals whose gender identity does not conform to gender norms and expectati... more Transgenders are individuals whose gender identity does not conform to gender norms and expectations traditionally associated with their sex assigned at birth. It is an identity or expression when gender differs from sex. Those who have medical interventions to transition from one sex to another identify as transsexuals.

Research paper thumbnail of The Way Forward

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

The field of self-care interventions is new, fast moving, and multi-disciplinary. There is a need... more The field of self-care interventions is new, fast moving, and multi-disciplinary. There is a need to explore the way ahead in advancing the field so that self-care forms an integral part of health programs. In order to move this agenda forward, a comprehensive strategy is needed. This includes training health professionals on SRHR self-care interventions; providing education to potential clients; making self-care technologies available and accessible to potential users; promoting the use of digital and online resources to accelerate self-care; and providing research-based evidence for the formulation of policies and programs.

Research paper thumbnail of Female Sex Work Dynamics: Empowerment, Mobilization, Mobility

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

UNAIDS defines sex work as selling sexual services (Ditmore in Joint United Nations Programme on ... more UNAIDS defines sex work as selling sexual services (Ditmore in Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. UNAIDS, 2008, [1]). Sex workers involved in sexual relations with multiple partners are a key group of women who need access to comprehensive sexual health services, including HIV prevention, treatment, and care (Lafort et al. in Reproductive health services for populations at high risk of HIV: performance of a night clinic in Tete province, Mozambique. BMC Health Services Research, 2010, [2]). There are a broad range of sex workers in various locations including those who are street-based and brothel-based, those who work as escorts, and those who work from their own homes.

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual Behaviors of Long-Distance Truck Drivers

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

Truck drivers are a group of recognized marginalized people who are sexually active during their ... more Truck drivers are a group of recognized marginalized people who are sexually active during their long driving hours. Their exhausting working environment causing lethargy and mental fatigue stirs them to have sex (Essuon et al. in J Health Care Poor Underserved 20:40–52, 2009, [1]). Long-distance truck drivers transport goods over hundreds and even thousands of miles. They may drive flatbed rigs, which are used for carrying steel, or tankers and tractor trailers. They usually drive at night when traffic is light (American Trucking Associations in Long-haul truck driver: definition and nature of work. American Trucking Associations, Encyclopedia, 2020, [2]). Truck drivers and interstate migrants are important bridge populations for the transmission of HIV infection (Pandey et al. in AIDS 22(5):81–90, 2008, [3]).

Research paper thumbnail of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in India

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

SpringerBriefs in Public Health present concise summaries of cutting-edge research and practical ... more SpringerBriefs in Public Health present concise summaries of cutting-edge research and practical applications from across the entire field of public health, with contributions from medicine, bioethics, health economics, public policy, biostatistics, and sociology. The focus of the series is to highlight current topics in public health of interest to a global audience, including health care policy; social determinants of health; health issues in developing countries; new research methods; chronic and infectious disease epidemics; and innovative health interventions. Featuring compact volumes of 50 to 125 pages, the series covers a range of content from professional to academic. Possible volumes in the series may consist of timely reports of state-of-the art analytical techniques, reports from the field, snapshots of hot and/or emerging topics, elaborated theses, literature reviews, and in-depth case studies. Both solicited and unsolicited manuscripts are considered for publication in this series. Briefs are published as part of Springer's eBook collection, with millions of users worldwide. In addition, Briefs are available for individual print and electronic purchase. Briefs are characterized by fast, global electronic dissemination, standard publishing contracts, easy-to-use manuscript preparation and formatting guidelines, and expedited production schedules. We aim for publication 8-12 weeks after acceptance.

Research paper thumbnail of Men who have sex with men

AIDS Care, 1992

Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with members of the same se... more Men who have sex with men (MSM) are men who engage in sexual activity with members of the same sex, regardless of how they identify themselves. In India, same-sex behavior and relations tend to be much more fluid. These men may identify as gay, homosexual, bisexual, heterosexual, or may dispense with sexual identity altogether [1]. Indian terms are kothi (receptive or effeminate male partner), panthi (stereotypically penetrative or masculine male partner), "double deckers" (men who engage in both penetrative and receptive anal sexes) maybe invoked to describe their sexual identity, as opposed to thinking of themselves as "gay" (which may be perceived to be a foreign term) [2]. A study conducted in Asia by Dowsett, Grierson, and McNally showed that the MSM population does not have similar traits other than being males and engaging in sex with other men [3]. The study concluded that the term MSM does not correspond to a single social identity. It refers to different behaviors and social identities [3, 4]. Public health researchers have sought to distinguish sexual orientation from sexual behaviors. In 2015, WHO estimated that the median HIV prevalence in MSM ranged from 4.3% in South East Asia to 14.9 percent in the African region [5]. Criminalization of consensual, adult same-sex behavior and stigma, discrimination, and violence against men who have sex with men has created an environment which compromises people's human rights [6]. To improve sustained, comprehensive, and effective HIV prevention, and testing and treatment efforts in low-, middle-, and high-income countries, WHO works closely with UNDP and UNAIDS to advocate for the implementation of a human rights-based approach for the prevention and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) [5]. The United States Department of Health and Human Services through the Affordable Care Act, 2012, offers new protection which includes preventing discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons [7].

Research paper thumbnail of Self-care: Concept, Rationale, and Framework

SpringerBriefs in Public Health

The role and importance of self-care in the continuum of health care are becoming important subje... more The role and importance of self-care in the continuum of health care are becoming important subjects of debate among social scientists and health professionals. Interest in the self-care component of health services is stimulated by the convergence of diverse pressures common to health services systems. Depersonalized medical care, rising costs of high technology, focus on curative care, growth of lay knowledge, recognition of the limits of medical care, and documentation of the impact of the individual’s health behavior on patterns of morbidity are all factors stimulating new thinking regarding the importance of individuals and families to the effective and efficient functioning of health service systems.