2024
High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine
Ottesen T, Wickersham J, Lawrence J, Antoniak S, Zezuilin O, Polonsky M, Antonyak S, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Altice F. High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305086. PMID: 39028735, PMCID: PMC11259278, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapy prescriptionAntiretroviral therapyCD4 countSubstance use disordersIncreased levels of stigmaNational sampleLevel of stigmaIndependent of risk groupSuboptimal antiretroviral therapyInitiate antiretroviral therapyPopulation of peopleHIV expertsHIV incidenceHIV physiciansHIV treatmentKey populationsTransgender womenAntiretroviral treatmentFeeling thermometerDrinking alcoholSex workersPhysiciansSex partnersPWHRisk groupsAlcohol Use Disorder and HIV Risk in a National Survey of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ukraine
Gabriel W, Sazonova Y, Kulchynska R, LaMonaca K, Salyuk T, Smyrnov P, Altice F. Alcohol Use Disorder and HIV Risk in a National Survey of Men Who Have Sex with Men in Ukraine. International Journal Of Behavioral Medicine 2024, 1-17. PMID: 38914921, DOI: 10.1007/s12529-024-10272-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV transmission riskAssociated with HIV transmissionAlcohol use disorderHIV transmissionAlcohol consumptionTargeted HIV prevention strategiesPotential alcohol use disordersBehaviors associated with HIV transmissionRisk behaviors associated with HIV transmissionUnknown HIV statusHIV prevention strategiesPrevalent HIV infectionAssociated with increased likelihoodLikelihood of HIV acquisitionPre-exposure prophylaxisMultivariate regressionProblematic alcohol consumptionUse disorderConclusionThe high prevalenceMSM participantsHIV testingProblematic alcohol useHIV incidenceHIV statusHIV riskPreferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey.
Bromberg D, Madden L, Fraenkel L, Muthulingam D, Rhoades D, Dvoriak S, Dumchev K, Pykalo I, Altice F. Preferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey. PLOS Global Public Health 2024, 4: e0002725. PMID: 38277422, PMCID: PMC10817130, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyWithdrawal symptomsAdverse side effectsAgonist therapySide effectsOpioid use disorderQuality-of-life improvementUse disorderCombined HIVHIV incidenceClinical decision-makingDosing frequencyRespondent-driven samplingOpioidOpioid epidemicAssess preferencesClinical concernPatient preferencesPatientsDelivery strategiesTherapyDisordersHIVPatient concernsWithdrawal
2023
Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full?
Nachega J, Musoke P, Kilmarx P, Gandhi M, Grinsztejn B, Pozniak A, Rawat A, Wilson L, Mills E, Altice F, Mellors J, Quinn T. Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full? The Lancet HIV 2023, 10: e617-e622. PMID: 37506723, PMCID: PMC10733629, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00150-9.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2021
Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program
Bachireddy C, Shrestha R, Bromberg DJ, Azbel L, Kurmanalieva A, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Rozanova J, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2021, 101: 103558. PMID: 34915426, PMCID: PMC9998103, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103558.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV statusMean treatment durationOpioid use disorderPositive HIV statusDuration of treatmentMethadone doseHIV incidenceMethadone servicesMethadone treatmentIndependent correlatesHIV preventionUse disordersTreatment durationMethadoneNational programTreatmentHIVAdministrative dataCommunity releaseMonthsKyrgyz prisonsFirst evaluationIncarcerated peopleDurationReleaseCosts and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis
Ward Z, Stone J, Bishop C, Ivakin V, Eritsyan K, Deryabina A, Low A, Cepeda J, Kelly SL, Heimer R, Cook R, Altice FL, Litz T, Terlikbayeva A, El-Bassel N, Havarkov D, Fisenka A, Boshnakova A, Klepikov A, Saliuk T, Deshko T, Vickerman P. Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis. The Lancet HIV 2021, 9: e42-e53. PMID: 34895484, PMCID: PMC8762142, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00274-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyAgonist therapyAntiretroviral therapyPublic health approachHIV transmissionDrug useDynamic HIV transmission modelHealth approachIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioHIV transmission modelNational InstituteCost-effectiveness ratioCountry-specific costsHIV incidenceUNAIDS 90US National InstitutesART coverageWHO targetPWIDTherapyPay thresholdsInfectious diseasesCost savingsDrug abuseIncremental costAn expanding HIV epidemic among older adults in Ukraine: Implications for patient-centered care
Rozanova J, Zeziulin O, Rich KM, Altice FL, Kiriazova T, Zaviryukha I, Sosidko T, Gulati K, Carroll C, Shenoi SV. An expanding HIV epidemic among older adults in Ukraine: Implications for patient-centered care. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0256627. PMID: 34591848, PMCID: PMC8483339, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256627.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStandardized mortality ratioMortality rateCause standardized mortality ratioTime of diagnosisGeneral population ratesLate-stage HIVAge-matched groupHigh mortality ratePatient-centered careIncident HIVHIV diagnosisHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV treatmentHIV epidemicMortality ratioTreatment strategiesGeneral populationHIVMortality trendsAge groupsEECA countriesTreatment programSame calendar yearOlder people
2020
Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study
Bórquez A, Rich K, Farrell M, Degenhardt L, McKetin R, Tran LT, Cepeda J, Silva‐Santisteban A, Konda K, Cáceres CF, Kelly S, Altice FL, Martin NK. Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2020, 23: e25495. PMID: 32562365, PMCID: PMC7305413, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMSM/transgender womenHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisPre-exposure prophylaxisNew HIV infectionsHIV infectionTransgender womenStimulant useCVD mortalityCVD deathHealth harmsIntegrated substance useMore HIV infectionsHigh HIV incidenceCardiovascular disease mortalityRandom allocationUnprotected anal sexRisk of suicideHIV incidenceHIV transmissionDisease mortalityHIV riskGlobal systematic reviewAnal sexReduction interventionsSystematic review
2019
Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study
Tan J, Altice FL, Madden LM, Zelenev A. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV 2019, 7: e121-e128. PMID: 31879250, PMCID: PMC7289179, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30373-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNew HIV infectionsHigh HIV burdenHIV infectionMinistry of HealthOAT coverageAgonist therapyHIV burdenHIV incidenceBuprenorphine maintenance therapyPublic Health CenterMaintenance therapyHIV outcomesHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionMedication procurementHIV epidemicHealth centersHIV preventionTreatment goalsPWIDOAT expansionDisease controlSexual riskInfectionHIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy
LaMonaca K, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Azbel L, Morozova O, Altice FL. HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy. Current Psychiatry Reports 2019, 21: 47. PMID: 31161306, PMCID: PMC6685549, DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1038-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programDrug injectionAntiretroviral therapyHIV epidemicEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesNew HIV casesHIV prevention strategiesHarm reduction programsAgonist therapyHIV incidenceHIV casesRecent FindingsThoughPrevention strategiesSexual partnersHIVInjectionTherapyReduction programsEpidemicPunitive drug lawsService programsMortalityCliniciansIncidenceEvaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Ranjit YS, Azbel L, Krishnan A, Altice FL, Meyer JP. Evaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. AIDS Care 2019, 31: 793-797. PMID: 30701981, PMCID: PMC6510603, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1573969.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveAzerbaijanCommunicable DiseasesComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansKyrgyzstanMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedPrevalencePrisonersPrisonsSubstance-Related DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesSyphilisUkraineConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyHIV preventionHIV riskHIV care continuumCells/μLHigh-risk groupComorbid substance useEffective HIV preventionGlobal HIV preventionHigh rateHepatitis CIncarcerated womenHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV prevalencePsychiatric comorbidityDrug injectionRepresentative sampleCare continuumRisk groupsPsychiatric disordersMost womenUse disordersTreatment interventions
2018
Drug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments
Azbel L, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Bachireddy C, Meyer J, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Drug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments. International Journal Of Prison Health 2018, 14: 175-187. PMID: 30274558, PMCID: PMC6447033, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2017-0016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance treatmentNeedle syringe programsDrug injectionDrug injectorsHigh HIV risk behaviorElevated HIV riskPrison drug injectionHepatitis C infectionOpioid agonist treatmentHIV risk behaviorsC infectionHIV incidenceAgonist treatmentMaintenance treatmentIndependent correlatesBiobehavioral surveysHIV riskOnly examinationRisk behaviorsMMT useLow uptakeCurrent incarcerationInjectionLogit linkHigh-risk environments
2017
Patient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine
Marcus R, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Zelenev A, Polonsky M, Madden L, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Springer SA, Altice FL. Patient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 179: 213-219. PMID: 28806638, PMCID: PMC5599372, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderExtended-release naltrexoneXR-NTXHIV preventionIndependent correlatesPatient preferencesUse disordersShort-term injectorsPatient-centered treatmentAgonist therapyPharmacological therapyHIV incidenceTreatment optionsPWIDTreatment entryAddiction treatmentPreventionNaltrexoneShort durationTherapyNegative attitudesDisordersNew optionsTreatmentA Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru
Vagenas P, Brown SE, Clark JL, Konda KA, Lama JR, Sánchez J, Duerr AC, Altice FL. A Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru. Substance Use & Misuse 2017, 52: 831-839. PMID: 28426357, PMCID: PMC5595368, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1264968.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderMSM/transgender womenTransgender womenAlcohol consumptionRisk behaviorsRisky sexual behaviorConcentrated HIV epidemicMultiple sexual partnersSexual behaviorSexual risk behaviorsAntiretroviral therapyHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionMedication adherenceProblematic drinkingSemi-structured focus groupsHIV epidemicHigh prevalencePharmacological interventionsUse disordersFocus groupsUnprotected sexAlcohol dependencePeruvian menPhysician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia
Ferro EG, Culbert GJ, Wickersham JA, Marcus R, Steffen AD, Pauls HA, Westergaard RP, Lee CK, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Physician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: ofw219. PMID: 28480230, PMCID: PMC5414088, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw219.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHuman immunodeficiency virusT-cell countsAdvanced human immunodeficiency virusAntiretroviral therapyKey risk populationsKey populationsRisk populationsEvidence-based treatment guidelinesHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidenceClinician-level interventionsHypothetical clinical scenariosProportion of physiciansHigher CD4HIV patientsPhysician adherenceControl patientsTreatment guidelinesHIV incidenceImmunodeficiency virusART accessART coverageInternet-based surveyPhysicians' attitudesPrevention strategiesClinical scenarios
2016
The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Altice FL, Azbel L, Stone J, Brooks-Pollock E, Smyrnov P, Dvoriak S, Taxman FS, El-Bassel N, Martin NK, Booth R, Stöver H, Dolan K, Vickerman P. The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1228-1248. PMID: 27427455, PMCID: PMC5087988, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30856-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyHepatitis C virusIncident tuberculosis casesAgonist therapyC virusTuberculosis casesHIV transmissionEECA countriesAntiretroviral therapy coverageHIV transmission riskNew HIV infectionsInjection of opioidsTransmission of HIVSecondary preventionHIV infectionHIV incidenceSyringe programsHIVDrug useLarge burdenTransmission riskTherapyTuberculosisDrugsHigh levelsIntersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment
Azbel L, Polonsky M, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Asanov A, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 9-20. PMID: 27455177, PMCID: PMC5124506, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug injectionHIV infectionLifetime drug injectionPrison drug injectionHIV care continuumAntiretroviral therapy coverageConfidence intervalsMean numberEpidemic of HIVHealth assessment surveyUndiagnosed syphilisSyphilis infectionConsented participantsHIV incidenceHIV transmissionIndependent correlatesWeighted prevalenceEvidence-based responsesHIV epidemicCare continuumDuration of imprisonmentHIV preventionHealth SurveyAIDS mortalityHIV
2015
The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model
Lima VD, Graf I, Beckwith CG, Springer S, Altice FL, Coombs D, Kim B, Messina L, Montaner JS, Spaulding A. The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0123482. PMID: 25905725, PMCID: PMC4408043, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123482.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevalenceNew infectionsCondom useSexual risk behavior changePrevalence of HIVHIV prevention strategiesCumulative numberRisk behavior changeHistory of incarcerationBlack menHIV incidenceHIV transmissionHIV epidemicPrevention strategiesPrevalenceInfectionMortalityMenPrison releaseBehavior changeStatus quo scenarioSexUnited StatesYearsSettingCost-Effectiveness Analysis of Brief and Expanded Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Interventions for HIV-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in the United States
Song DL, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM, Long EF. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Brief and Expanded Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Interventions for HIV-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in the United States. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0116694. PMID: 25658949, PMCID: PMC4320073, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116694.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQuality-adjusted life yearsOpioid substitution therapyHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV prevalenceEvidence-based risk reduction interventionDynamic HIV transmission modelHolistic Health Recovery ProgramBehavioral HIV prevention interventionsFuture HIV incidenceTotal medical costsHIV transmission modelHIV prevention interventionsGeneral adult populationRisk reduction interventionsCost-effectiveness analysisSubstitution therapySexual transmissionHIV programsPrevention interventionsMedical costsTreatment settingsLife yearsReduction interventionsUS population
2014
Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Wickersham JA, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 25: 845-852. PMID: 24951025, PMCID: PMC4148465, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection equipment sharingPrison drug injectionNeedle/syringeIndependent correlatesDrug injectionNeedle/syringe exchange programsDrug useOpioid substitution therapyInjection drug useEquipment sharingSyringe exchange programsHigh-risk behaviorsPrior drug useOpioid useHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionSubstitution therapyMale genderHarm reduction practicesHIVLogistic regressionMental healthConvenience sampleComplete data