2022
The Initial Response to COVID-19 Disruptions for Older People with HIV in Ukraine
Rozanova J, Rich K, Altice F, Shenoi S, Zaviryukha I, Kiriazova T, Mamedova E, Shipunov O, Yariy V, Deac A, Zeziulin O. The Initial Response to COVID-19 Disruptions for Older People with HIV in Ukraine. Geriatrics 2022, 7: 138. PMID: 36547274, PMCID: PMC9777936, DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics7060138.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGeneralised anxiety disorderSymptoms of depressionSymptoms of anxietyHIV treatmentSevere depressionOlder peopleMental healthActive drug useSubstance use disordersFirth logistic regression modelHigher suicidal ideationLogistic regression modelsIndependent correlatesUse disordersTelehealth strategiesDrug useSuicidal ideationSymptomsHIVAnxiety disordersSubstance useDepressionStandardised scalesCOVID-19 restrictionsInitial response
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 peopleDurationReleasePreference for and Efficacy of a PrEP Decision Aid for Women with Substance Use Disorders
Meyer J, Price C, Tracey D, Sharpless L, Song Y, Madden L, Elwyn G, Altice F. Preference for and Efficacy of a PrEP Decision Aid for Women with Substance Use Disorders. Patient Preference And Adherence 2021, 15: 1913-1927. PMID: 34511887, PMCID: PMC8420782, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s315543.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSubstance use disordersPersonal HIV riskHIV preventionAddiction treatment servicesHIV riskUse disordersTreatment servicesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention cascadeInitiation of PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisOpioid use disorderStandard of careDecision aidAlcohol use severityHalf of participantsAddiction treatment programsDA participantsPrevention cascadePrimary outcomeIndependent correlatesHigh riskDecisional preferencesHigher alcohol use severityAcceptability of an mHealth App That Provides Harm Reduction Services Among People Who Inject Drugs: Survey Study
Shelby T, Zhou X, Barber D, Altice F. Acceptability of an mHealth App That Provides Harm Reduction Services Among People Who Inject Drugs: Survey Study. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2021, 23: e25428. PMID: 34259640, PMCID: PMC8319773, DOI: 10.2196/25428.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe services programHarm reduction servicesReduction servicesSecondary outcomesMHealth appsParticipant characteristicsHarm reduction needsHome deliveryMost participantsRespondent-driven samplingPrimary outcomeSuboptimal accessIndependent correlatesMedical recordsDrug injectionMobile health appsPWIDSummary scoresMedication remindersSSP usePoisson regressionUnstable housingVulnerable populationsSyringe deliveryHealth appsPurposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs
Chandra DK, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM, Zhou X, Didomizio E, Shrestha R. Purposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs. Substance Use & Misuse 2021, 56: 979-987. PMID: 33769199, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1901931.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent PWIDFentanyl useOpioid-dependent peopleIndependent correlatesSevere depressionSex-related risk behaviorsMethadone-maintained patientsMultivariable logistic regressionOpioid-related mortalityRecent cocaine useCross-sectional surveySelf-reported drugMethadone dosageYoung PWIDDaily injectionsMethadone clinicsAssociated FactorsFentanyl exposureHigh prevalencePWIDSynthetic opioidsCocaine useYounger ageRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionStructural barriers to implementing recommended tuberculosis preventive treatment in primary care clinics in rural South Africa
Chandra DK, Moll AP, Altice FL, Didomizio E, Andrews L, Shenoi SV. Structural barriers to implementing recommended tuberculosis preventive treatment in primary care clinics in rural South Africa. Global Public Health 2021, 17: 555-568. PMID: 33650939, PMCID: PMC8410883, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2021.1892793.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTuberculosis preventive treatmentPrimary healthcare clinicsTPT initiationWorld Health OrganizationAntiretroviral therapyPreventive treatmentRural South AfricaHIV/TB servicesBurden of HIVOnly independent correlatePrimary care clinicsClinic-level factorsPatient-level characteristicsPrimary care providersHealth Services frameworkEvidence-based strategiesQuality improvement strategiesTB servicesClinical factorsCare clinicsIndependent correlatesMedical recordsPromoting ActionCare providersHealthcare clinicsWillingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment
Ni Z, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, DiDomizio EE, Nelson LE, Shrestha R. Willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 219: 108477. PMID: 33422864, PMCID: PMC7946167, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV riskHealthcare providersSex-related risk behaviorsMultivariable logistic regression analysisAwareness of PrEPUrban methadone clinicMultiple logistic regressionDisproportionate HIV burdenLogistic regression analysisCross-sectional surveyHIV burdenHIV infectionHIV testingIndependent correlatesMethadone clinicsDrug treatmentRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPrEPPrevious useHigher likelihoodProphylaxis
2020
Awareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs
Shrestha R, DiDomizio EE, Kim RS, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM. Awareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2020, 117: 108058. PMID: 32811633, PMCID: PMC7438607, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLAI-PrEPOral pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsBangkok Tenofovir StudyEvidence-based HIVHigh-risk PWUDImportant key populationHIV-negative peopleOpioid use disorderHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention effortsAddiction treatment programsDaily PrEPOral PrEPAdherence challengesIndependent correlatesFemale sexClinical trialsHIV preventionIndependent factorsSide effectsUse disorders
2019
Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks
Shrestha R, Lim SH, Altice FL, Copenhaver M, Wickersham JA, Saifi R, Ab Halim MA, Naning H, Kamarulzaman A. Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 10-19. PMID: 31375976, PMCID: PMC6957731, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00713-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual health informationHIV testingHealth informationOnline sexual health informationSexual partnersRecent HIV testingHigh-risk MSMHIV/STIsHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention activitiesCross-sectional online surveyHealth Information OnlineMalaysian MSMSTI preventionIndependent correlatesGeosocial networking appsHIV riskMHealth interventionsMHealth strategiesMHealth toolsRisk behaviorsOlder ageLogistic regressionMSMPrevention activities
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 Prisoner 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 environmentsHIV Sero-Status Non-disclosure Among HIV-Infected Opioid-Dependent Individuals: The Roles of HIV-Related Stigma, Risk Behavior, and Social Support
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Copenhaver MM. HIV Sero-Status Non-disclosure Among HIV-Infected Opioid-Dependent Individuals: The Roles of HIV-Related Stigma, Risk Behavior, and Social Support. Journal Of Community Health 2018, 44: 112-120. PMID: 30043195, PMCID: PMC6330145, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-018-0560-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsOpioid-dependent patientsHIV statusFamily/friendsSexual partnersHIV disclosureHIV sero-status disclosureRisk behaviorsHIV sero statusAntiretroviral therapy adherenceHigh-risk HIVRole of HIVMultivariable logistic regressionSubstance abuse treatment settingsHIV risk behaviorsInconsistent condom useMultiple sex partnersSocial supportHigh HIVSero statusHIV transmissionTherapy adherenceIndependent correlatesHIV riskHIV stigmaHepatitis C virus status awareness and test results confirmation among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Iakunchykova O, Meteliuk A, Zelenev A, Mazhnaya A, Tracy M, Altice FL. Hepatitis C virus status awareness and test results confirmation among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2018, 57: 11-17. PMID: 29655101, PMCID: PMC5994183, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.03.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAnti-HCV testIndependent correlatesHCV testingPositive statusAnti-HCV positive statusAnti-HCV positivityHCV treatment cascadeHCV-positive statusOpioid-dependent PWIDRegular HCV testingHIV-negative participantsPositive test resultsChronic HCVHCV prevalenceStatus awarenessHCV infectionHCV preventionTreatment cascadeTreatment strategiesTreatment utilizationNegative participantsPWIDTreatment experienceHCVConfirmatory testingConcurrent drug injection during opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Pykalo I, Madden L, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Concurrent drug injection during opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2018, 87: 1-8. PMID: 29471921, PMCID: PMC5826566, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentMethadone maintenance treatmentConcurrent illicit drug useOAT patientsIllicit drug useDrug injectionDrug useAgonist treatmentUse disordersMultivariable logistic regressionConcurrent drug useOngoing drug usePolysubstance use disorderAlcohol use disorderMaintenance treatmentIndependent correlatesBMT programSevere opioidDrug injectingPatientsHealth outcomesTreatment dropoutAlcohol dependenceInjection initiationYounger age
2017
Predictors of Linkage to and Retention in HIV Care Following Release from Connecticut Jails and Prisons
Loeliger K, Altice F, Desai M, Ciarleglio M, Gallagher C, Meyer J. Predictors of Linkage to and Retention in HIV Care Following Release from Connecticut Jails and Prisons. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: s38-s38. PMCID: PMC5632019, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx162.092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTime of linkageHIV-1 RNA testsCase managementHigher medical comorbidityPredictors of linkageViral suppression statusHIV treatment outcomesCase management dataPrior observational studiesTransitional case managementHIV careMedical comorbiditiesViral suppressionDetectable viremiaRetrospective cohortHIV outcomesRNA testIndependent correlatesPsychiatric comorbidityIncarceration periodsTreatment outcomesObservational studySuppression statusTargeted interventionsComorbiditiesImplementing and scaling up HCV treatment services for people who inject drugs and other high risk groups in Ukraine: An evaluation of programmatic and treatment outcomes
Mazhnaya A, Meteliuk A, Barnard T, Zelenev A, Filippovych S, Altice FL. Implementing and scaling up HCV treatment services for people who inject drugs and other high risk groups in Ukraine: An evaluation of programmatic and treatment outcomes. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 47: 187-195. PMID: 28811159, PMCID: PMC5918282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.07.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiviral AgentsCoinfectionFemaleGenotypeHealth ServicesHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansInterferon-alphaMalePolyethylene GlycolsProgram DevelopmentProgram EvaluationRecombinant ProteinsRibavirinRisk FactorsSex FactorsSofosbuvirSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSustained Virologic ResponseTreatment OutcomeUkraineYoung AdultConceptsSustained virologic responseHCV treatmentRisk groupsSVR ratesMedical recordsDirect acting antiviral medicationsComparable SVR ratesHCV genotype 3HCV prevalence estimatesHCV treatment servicesActing antiviral (DAA) medicationsCombination of sofosbuvirHigh-risk groupPatient-level outcomesProportion of participantsCommunity-based settingsDAA treatmentVirologic responseAntiviral medicationsHIV characteristicsHCV genotypesIndependent correlatesSVR dataFemale sexGenotype 3Patient 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 optionsTreatmentActive syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Pizzicato LN, Vagenas P, Gonzales P, Lama JR, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. Sexual Health 2017, 14: 304-312. PMID: 28514994, DOI: 10.1071/sh16149.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive syphilis infectionActive syphilisIndependent correlatesSyphilis infectionTransgender womenRisk factorsRecent sexRecent sex workSignificant independent correlatesReceptive anal intercourseFemale partnersRecent drug useSexual risk behaviorsTreatment of syphilisBackground SyphilisTGW populationPresent studySyphilis testingSyphilis screeningTransmissible infectionsSyphilis diagnosisHigh prevalenceStratified analysisSyphilis epidemicAge 35Correlates of willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis and anticipation of practicing safer drug- and sex-related behaviors among high-risk drug users on methadone treatment
Shrestha R, Karki P, Altice FL, Huedo-Medina TB, Meyer JP, Madden L, Copenhaver M. Correlates of willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis and anticipation of practicing safer drug- and sex-related behaviors among high-risk drug users on methadone treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 173: 107-116. PMID: 28214391, PMCID: PMC5366273, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk reductionDrug injectionHIV riskRisk behaviorsHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk PWUDOpioid-dependent personsHIV prevention approachesRecent risk behaviorsCross-sectional studyConsistent condom useHigh-risk behaviorsRisk reductionCorrelates of willingnessPrEP deliveryMethadone treatmentIndependent correlatesMethadone programsSafe drugElevated riskCasual partnersNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersKey populations
2016
Intersecting 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 mortalityHIVFactors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia
Mukherjee TI, Wickersham JA, Desai MM, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Factors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2016, 164: 120-127. PMID: 27207155, PMCID: PMC5592792, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceDaily heroin useOpioid use disorderLogistic regression analysisMMT initiationDrug use consequencesIndependent correlatesModifiable factorsHIV preventionHeroin useUse disordersParticipant characteristicsMental healthConvenience sampleHIVRegression analysisTherapyStructured questionnaireIncarcerated menMale prisonersUse consequencesLarge proportionPrison population