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 groupsHIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS): Psychometric Evaluation to Assess Clinician’s Propensity Towards HIV Activism in Malaysia
Chong N, Azwa I, Hassan A, Mousavi M, Wong P, Ng R, Saifi R, Basri S, Omar S, Walters S, Collier Z, Haddad M, Altice F, Kamarulzaman A, Earnshaw V. HIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS): Psychometric Evaluation to Assess Clinician’s Propensity Towards HIV Activism in Malaysia. AIDS And Behavior 2024, 28: 2780-2792. PMID: 38806844, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04381-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExploratory factor analysisHIV-related stigmaIntra-class correlation coefficientPrimary care physiciansTest-retest reliabilityCronbach's alpha valuesOrientation ScaleCare physiciansStigma-relatedPsychometric evaluationHIV treatmentHIV activityAlpha valuesPsychometric qualitiesActivist identitiesHIVClinical practiceFactor analysisCliniciansCorrelation coefficientDay-to-dayStructured activitiesCronbachStigmaPhysiciansIntegrating methadone into primary care settings in Ukraine: effects on provider stigma and knowledge
Bromberg D, Machavariani E, Madden L, Dumchev K, LaMonaca K, Earnshaw V, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Haddad M, Dvoriak S, Altice F. Integrating methadone into primary care settings in Ukraine: effects on provider stigma and knowledge. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2024, 27: e26202. PMID: 38379179, PMCID: PMC10879646, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26202.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnalgesics, OpioidHIV InfectionsHumansMethadonePrimary Health CareSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUkraineConceptsPrimary care clinicsStigma reduction interventionsOpioid agonist therapyClinicians' attitudesStigma constructsHIV preventionReduction interventionsEvidence-based HIV preventionCluster randomized controlled trialEvidence-based carePrimary care settingIntegrated care sitesDirect providersRandomized controlled trialsProvider stigmaCare clinicsCare sitesHIV careCare settingsHealth outcomesClinical staffSubstance use disordersLinear mixed-effects modelsTreatment continuumImprove attitudesTesting the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study.
Cheah M, Gan Y, Altice F, Wickersham J, Shrestha R, Salleh N, Ng K, Azwa I, Balakrishnan V, Kamarulzaman A, Ni Z. Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e52055. PMID: 38277206, PMCID: PMC10858413, DOI: 10.2196/52055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUptake of HIV testingHIV testingPre-exposure prophylaxisUnified Theory of AcceptanceFrequency of HIV testingTheory of AcceptanceAI chatbotsPromote HIV testingMental health supportHIV risk assessmentHIV prevention effortsHIV-related informationMixed methods studyPresence of stigmaUse of TechnologyConsequences of HIVEffort expectancySexually transmitted infectionsWeb-based surveyEngaging MSMArtificial intelligenceTranscribed verbatimPrEP uptakeHealth supportMental health
2023
Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Pykalo I, Ivasiy R, Islam Z, Altice F. Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1229057. PMID: 38074770, PMCID: PMC10702598, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1229057.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe service programsHIV prevention servicesHarm reduction servicesService programsWidespread HIV epidemicsSemi-structured interviewsIllicit drug usePreventive servicesHIV/AIDS preventionOutreach workersHIV epidemicReduction servicesClients transitionClient’s opennessHIV outbreakService provisionUnique clientsDrug useInterviewsPWIDHarmServicesNGO supportClientsInjection paraphernaliaGlobal 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAfrica, NorthernHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleSexual and Gender MinoritiesImproving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches
Brooks R, Wegener M, Freeman B, Fowles C, Madden L, Tetrault J, Nichols L, Altice F, Villanueva M. Improving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 1018-1028. PMID: 37439759, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169791.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCoinfectionHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansOpiate AlkaloidsSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsHIV/HCV coinfectionSubstance use disorder programsHCV testingOpiate use disorderHCV coinfectionUse disordersNominal group techniqueSubstance use disorder treatment centersCascade of careRates of HIVDisorder treatment centersQuality improvement effortsRate of testingHCV acquisitionHCV cureImproving HIVSUD clinicsHepatitis CHIV testingPrior diagnosisSubsequent referralReferral ratesHIV epidemicHIVTreatment centersChallenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias
DiDomizio E, Chandra D, Nichols L, Villanueva M, Altice F. Challenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 998-1008. PMID: 37440258, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169928.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsBias, ImplicitDrug UsersHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUnited StatesConceptsNominal group techniqueHealth care decisionsProvider perspectivesEligibility criteriaHIV/HCVEffective antiviral medicationsPatient eligibility criteriaFacilitators of treatmentMicro-EliminationHCV treatmentAntiviral medicationsOpioid epidemicProvider knowledgePatient involvementPatient engagementDifferent clinicsRelated stigmaHCVCare decisionsHIVPatientsTreatmentGroup sessionsMost barriersFocus group sessionsThe Cooperative Re-Engagement Controlled Trial (CoRECT): Durable Viral Suppression Assessment
O'Shea J, Fanfair R, Williams T, Khalil G, Brady K, DeMaria A, Villanueva M, Randall L, Jenkins H, Altice F, Camp N, Lucas C, Buchelli M, Samandari T, Weidle P. The Cooperative Re-Engagement Controlled Trial (CoRECT): Durable Viral Suppression Assessment. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2023, 93: 134-142. PMID: 36812382, PMCID: PMC10962216, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003178.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-Retroviral AgentsFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMassachusettsParturitionPregnancyProspective StudiesViral LoadConceptsDurable viral suppressionActive public health interventionProportion of PWHPublic health interventionsViral loadCare strategiesHealth interventionsLast viral loadCopies/mLStandard of careRace/ethnicityCare armHIV careViral suppressionAntiretroviral adherenceCD4 categoryExposure categoriesCare individualsPWHCareAge categoriesInterventionTrialsBirth sexRe-EngagementBarriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia
Rosen A, Wickersham J, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Tee V, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Luces J, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Saifi R, Shrestha R. Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 20: 5669. PMID: 37174187, PMCID: PMC10177799, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalaysiaMalePre-Exposure ProphylaxisSexual and Gender MinoritiesConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP providersNominal group techniqueMalaysian MSMEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention strategiesPotential new strategyPrEP deliveryPrEP carePrEP initiationPrEP servicesPrEP uptakeDecision aidPrevention strategiesUnderstanding of barriersComplex clinical protocolsClinical protocolsMSMQualitative focus groupsCommunity stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMenModelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Stone J, Trickey A, Walker J, Bivegete S, Semchuk N, Sazonova Y, Varetska O, Altice F, Saliuk T, Vickerman P. Modelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2023, 26: e26073. PMID: 37012669, PMCID: PMC10070931, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsCost-Benefit AnalysisDrug UsersHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUkraineConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHepatitis C virusHCV incidenceHCV infectionHIV/HCV testingHIV/HCV infectionHCV transmission modelNeedles/syringesHCV testingHCV eliminationHCV transmissionAgonist treatmentC virusNew HIVHigh prevalencePWIDHIVCondom useSubstantial detrimental impactInfectionIncidencePreventative impactDrugsCoverage levelsDALYsClinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability
Shrestha R, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Gautam K, Gupta S, Sullivan P, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Phiphatkunarnon P, Wickersham J. Clinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2023, 11: e44468. PMID: 36795465, PMCID: PMC9982718, DOI: 10.2196/44468.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention servicesINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPrevention servicesMean ageHIV preventionPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention outcomesHIV self-testing (HIVST) kitsParticipants' mean ageSelf-testing kitsHealth care settingsMobile health platformMalaysian MSMMixed-methods evaluationHIV testingCare settingsLocal clinicSystem Usability ScalePrevention outcomesDays of testingMSMSmartphone appPrEPHIVMean scoreCosts and cost‐effectiveness of a collaborative data‐to‐care intervention for HIV treatment and care in the United States
Shrestha R, Fanfair R, Randall L, Lucas C, Nichols L, Camp N, Brady K, Jenkins H, Altice F, DeMaria A, Villanueva M, Weidle P. Costs and cost‐effectiveness of a collaborative data‐to‐care intervention for HIV treatment and care in the United States. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2023, 26: e26040. PMID: 36682053, PMCID: PMC9867888, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCare armHIV careCare patientsIntervention armCare interventionsHealth departmentsHIV care interventionsHIV care outcomesHIV care providersHealthcare provider perspectiveHIV clinicHIV treatmentCare providersControl trialCare outcomesMicrocosting approachCare programCare servicesSurveillance dataSimilar interventionsIncremental costIntervention costsProvider perspectivesCareAverage cost
2022
Acceptability and Feasibility of Online, Asynchronous Photovoice with Key Populations and People Living with HIV
Earnshaw V, Cox J, Wong P, Saifi R, Walters S, Azwa I, Omar S, Collier Z, Hassan A, Lim S, Wickersham J, Haddad M, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Acceptability and Feasibility of Online, Asynchronous Photovoice with Key Populations and People Living with HIV. AIDS And Behavior 2022, 27: 2055-2069. PMID: 36463390, PMCID: PMC9734619, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03938-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImpact of prerelease methadone on mortality among people with HIV and opioid use disorder after prison release: results from a randomized and participant choice open-label trial in Malaysia
Bazazi A, Culbert G, Wegman M, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Impact of prerelease methadone on mortality among people with HIV and opioid use disorder after prison release: results from a randomized and participant choice open-label trial in Malaysia. BMC Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 837. PMID: 36368939, PMCID: PMC9652918, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07804-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid agonist therapyInfectious etiologyMost deathsUse disordersSample of menPrison releaseOpen-label trialT-lymphocyte countsPredictors of mortalityNational death recordsCrude mortality rateProportional hazards modelCovariate-adjusted modelsLow CD4Methadone initiationModified intentionAgonist therapySurvival benefitTreat analysisMethodsThis studyHIVHazards modelMortality rateMethadoneCollaborative learning and response to opioid misuse and HIV prevention in Ukraine during war
Altice FL, Bromberg DJ, Klepikov A, Barzilay EJ, Islam Z, Dvoriak S, Farnum SO, Madden LM. Collaborative learning and response to opioid misuse and HIV prevention in Ukraine during war. The Lancet Psychiatry 2022, 9: 852-854. PMID: 36244353, PMCID: PMC9806953, DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00318-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUsing nominal group technique to identify barriers and facilitators to preventing HIV using combination same-day pre-exposure prophylaxis and medications for opioid use disorder
Eger WH, Altice FL, Lee J, Vlahov D, Khati A, Osborne S, Wickersham JA, Bohonnon T, Powell L, Shrestha R. Using nominal group technique to identify barriers and facilitators to preventing HIV using combination same-day pre-exposure prophylaxis and medications for opioid use disorder. Harm Reduction Journal 2022, 19: 120. PMID: 36307817, PMCID: PMC9616614, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-022-00703-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsHIV InfectionsHumansOpioid-Related DisordersPre-Exposure ProphylaxisSubstance Abuse, IntravenousConceptsSame-day prescriptionPre-exposure prophylaxisOpioid use disorderHIV transmissionUse disordersClinical stakeholdersAvailability of providersSystems of careHealth care systemCoordinated careNew practice modelClinical careMedicationsPharmacy deliveryMOUDNominal group techniqueLocal prescribersPWIDSexual riskPrEPCare systemHealth benefitsCareMultiple visitsProphylaxisExploring Malaysian Physicians' Intention to Discriminate Against Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Patients
Ni Z, Shrestha R, Earnshaw VA, Tee YC, Altice FL, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Zhou X, Wickersham JA. Exploring Malaysian Physicians' Intention to Discriminate Against Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men Patients. LGBT Health 2022, 10: 169-175. PMID: 36251945, PMCID: PMC9986015, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2021.0452.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey
Shrestha R, Maviglia F, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim MAA, Wickersham JA. Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2022, 24: e36917. PMID: 35877172, PMCID: PMC9361153, DOI: 10.2196/36917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention informationHIV preventionDrug usePrevention informationMalaysian menMHealth platformHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention toolHIV prevention servicesSexual activityReceptive anal sexMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthIllicit drug useSexualized drug useCross-sectional surveyAcceptability of mHealthHealth technology useSelf-administered questionnaireRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementDearth of evidencePrevention servicesHIV, substance use, and mental health care in prisons
Fazel S, Bromberg DJ, Altice FL. HIV, substance use, and mental health care in prisons. The Lancet Psychiatry 2022, 9: 694-695. PMID: 35843228, PMCID: PMC9827418, DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00243-7.Peer-Reviewed Original Research