2024
User preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Palmer L, Wickersham JA, Gautam K, Maviglia F, Bruno B-D, Azwa I, et al. (2024) User preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia. PLOS Digit Health 3(10): e0000643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransactional sex and its associated factors among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nepal
Sujan M, Paudel K, Gautam K, Khati A, Wickersham J, Dhakal M, Ha T, Shrestha R. Transactional sex and its associated factors among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nepal. Sexual Health 2024, 21 PMID: 39388431, DOI: 10.1071/sh24178.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransactional sexPrevalence of transactional sexFactors associated with transactional sexExchange of sexReduce transactional sexPolice detentionMental health challengesEconomic vulnerabilityTransgender womenFinancial dependenceGBMSMCondomless sexSubstance useAssociated with adverse health outcomesNepalParticipants' sociodemographic characteristics,Cross-sectional surveyMultivariate logistic regression analysisAdverse health outcomesAge of participantsHealth outcomesSexually transmitted infectionsHigh-risk groupSociodemographic characteristicsLogistic regression analysisAssociation of sleep quality, smartphone addiction, and depressive symptoms among undergraduate medical students in Nepal
Paudel, K., Shah, S., Khanal, P. et al. Association of sleep quality, smartphone addiction, and depressive symptoms among undergraduate medical students in Nepal. Discov Psychol 4, 125 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s44202-024-00246-yPeer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdaptation of a Theory-Based Mobile App to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Services for Transgender Women in Malaysia: Focus Group Study
Gautam K, Shrestha R, Dlamini S, Razali B, Paudel K, Azwa I, Saifi R, Toh Y, Lim H, Sutherland R, Restar A, Phanuphak N, Wickersham J. Adaptation of a Theory-Based Mobile App to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Services for Transgender Women in Malaysia: Focus Group Study. JMIR Formative Research 2024, 8: e56250. PMID: 39137407, PMCID: PMC11350319, DOI: 10.2196/56250.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesTransgender womenFocus groupsPrEP uptakePreventive servicesCare servicesHIV preventionFG sessionsBarriers to PrEP uptakeUptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxisHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisTailored HIV preventionMobile appsReduce HIV vulnerabilityPre-exposure prophylaxisFocus group studyPrEP knowledgeTheater testingDedoose softwareMobile healthMultifaceted barriersDeliver interventionsHIV vulnerabilityPrEP barriersWomen's needsHealth literacy and its determinants among school-going children: a school-based cross-sectional study in Nepal
Adhikari P, Paudel K, Bhusal S, Gautam K, Khanal P, Adhikari T, K C P, Shrestha R, Shrestha S. Health literacy and its determinants among school-going children: a school-based cross-sectional study in Nepal. Health Promotion International 2024, 39: daae059. PMID: 39115185, DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae059.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLevel of health literacyPre-existing mental health conditionsLimited health literacyHealth literacyMental health conditionsSchool-going childrenCross-sectional studyFactors associated with limited health literacyHealth Literacy for School-Aged ChildrenLow levels of health literacyPeer support group programHealth conditionsLiteracy levelsModerate health literacyHealth literacy levelsSchool health promotionSchool-based cross-sectional studyImprove health literacyMulti-stage cluster sampling methodSupport group programPoor quality of lifeSchool health professionalsLower educational attainmentAdverse health outcomesSchool-aged ChildrenExploring Attitudes Toward Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Prior to Implementation Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia: Results from a Qualitative Study
Foley S, Keene D, Shrestha R, Brown S, Gautam K, Sutherland R, Maviglia F, Saifi R, Wickersham J. Exploring Attitudes Toward Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Prior to Implementation Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia: Results from a Qualitative Study. Patient Preference And Adherence 2024, 18: 797-807. PMID: 38595805, PMCID: PMC11003429, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s413423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV preventionFSWs’ willingnessMethod of HIV preventionSex workersAcceptability of PrEPHIV prevention practicesPrevention of HIV transmissionGrounded theory approachSemi-structured interviewsCondom promotionPrEP usePrEP rolloutPrevention practicesTranslated interviewsEmpowerment componentsQualitative studyHarm reductionHIV transmissionOral PrEPPerceived challengesPrEPCondom useQualitative explorationPreferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study
Gautam K, Aguilar C, Paudel K, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Acharya B, Sapkota S, Deuba K, Shrestha R. Preferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e56002. PMID: 38551632, PMCID: PMC11015371, DOI: 10.2196/56002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDigital health interventions for suicide prevention among LGBTQ: A narrative review
Paudel K, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Shah S, Wickersham J, Acharya B, Sapkota S, Adhikari S, Baral P, Shrestha A, Shrestha R. Digital health interventions for suicide prevention among LGBTQ: A narrative review. Health Prospect 2024, 23: 1-10. PMID: 38645301, PMCID: PMC11027749, DOI: 10.3126/hprospect.v23i1.62795.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDigital health interventionsMcGill Mixed Methods Appraisal ToolRandomized controlled trialsDigital interventionsHealth interventionsSuicide preventionHealth servicesQualitative studyMixed Methods Appraisal ToolIncrease help-seeking behaviorImpact of digital interventionsConventional health servicesMethods Appraisal ToolHelp-seeking intentionsObtaining such servicesPre-posttest designHelp-seeking behaviorSuicidal thoughtsMiddle-income countriesDigital-based interventionsProportion of participantsPowered randomized controlled trialsNon-overlapping studiesLGBTQ communityPerceived stigmaHigh Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal
Gautam K, Paudel K, Ahmed A, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Poudel K, Pagoto S, Acharya B, Deuba K, Valente P, Shrestha R. High Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal. Journal Of Community Health 2024, 49: 575-587. PMID: 38281283, PMCID: PMC11283576, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01324-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesHIV preventionPreventive servicesAccess HIV prevention servicesModerate to severe depressive symptomsRespondent-driven sampling surveyRisk of HIV acquisitionHIV prevention effortsSevere depressive symptomsHealth care workersMultivariate linear regression analysisMHealth interventionsHIV risk-related behaviorsMHealth strategiesMobile healthMHealth platformParticipant characteristicsMSM populationUtilization of communication technologiesMHealthRisk-related behaviorsDepressive symptomsCare workersMedian scoreMonthly incomeMediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Paudel K, Bhandari P, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Ha T, Banik S, Shrestha R. Mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0296097. PMID: 38166131, PMCID: PMC10760890, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDepressive symptomsHigher ageCross-sectional studyHealth-related confoundersResource-limited countriesCondom-less sexMental health concernsRespondent-driven samplingPrEP uptakeFood insecurityDearth of evidenceUnadjusted modelsAdjusted modelSymptomsHealth concernMSMOutcome variablesConfidence intervalsMenMonthly incomeSexAssociationStigmaAgePrevious studies
2023
Awareness and Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men in Nepal
Paudel K, Kanak M, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Valente P, Ha T, Shrestha R. Awareness and Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men in Nepal. Journal Of Community Health 2023, 49: 514-525. PMID: 38127298, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01318-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP awarenessBiomedical prevention strategiesHIV transmission riskUse of PrEPCross-sectional surveyHealth insurance coveragePrEP knowledgePrEP useHIV preventionStudy populationPrevention strategiesHealthcare providersBivariate analysisLogistic regressionTransmission riskPrEPMSMInsurance coverageProphylaxisHIVMenParticipantsInnovative strategiesInfectionCorrelates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study
JadKarim L, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Azwa I, Saifi R, Khati A, Paudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Correlates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0294937. PMID: 38032958, PMCID: PMC10688714, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294937.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaysian MSMLogistic regressionCharacteristics of HIVFuture public health interventionsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV testing uptakeHIV testing servicesMultivariable logistic regressionHIV prevention servicesCross-sectional studyDisproportionate HIV burdenLow testing ratesPublic health interventionsCross-sectional online surveySTI testing practicesHIV burdenPrior diagnosisSocio-demographic characteristicsTesting uptakeHigher oddsMSM communityLower oddsHIVPrevention servicesTesting ratesSuicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Paudel K, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Wickersham J, Dhakal M, Sharma S, Poudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002348. PMID: 37992034, PMCID: PMC10664887, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002348.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSuicidal ideationSuicidal behaviorRisk factorsDepressive symptomsMultivariable logistic regressionCross-sectional studyMental health problemsMiddle-income countriesSmoking habitsSevere food insecurityIndependent correlatesSuicide-related problemsYoung MSMHigh prevalenceLifetime prevalenceGeneral populationHealth problemsMSMLogistic regressionPrevalenceFood insecurityEarly assessmentRelated factorsMenIdeationDrivers of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use among Transgender Women in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study.
JadKarim L, Galka J, Shrestha R, Mazzeo R, Restar A, Gautam K, Azwa I, Wickersham JA. Drivers of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use among Transgender Women in Malaysia: A Cross-Sectional Study. Res Sq 2023 PMID: 38014239, DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3607148/v1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUncovering the knowledge gaps: A survey on human monkeypox infection among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Paudel K, Gautam K, Sujan S, Wickersham J, Chaudhari P, Shrestha R. Uncovering the knowledge gaps: A survey on human monkeypox infection among men who have sex with men in Nepal. Health Prospect 2023, 22: 1-8. PMID: 37954124, PMCID: PMC10636784, DOI: 10.3126/hprospect.v22i1.53504.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment
Dubov A, Altice F, Gutierrez J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Pre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 14200. PMID: 37648731, PMCID: PMC10468492, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41264-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjectable PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxis servicesDaily oral PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisMalaysian MSMPrEP deliveryOral PrEPPrEP uptakeMSMPrEPLatent class analysisDiscrete choice experimentMenDelivery preferencesDelivery programsSexGroupClass analysisType of programPreference groupsOnline surveyProphylaxisInitiation rateHIVDosingAn mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study
Gautam K, Paudel K, Jacobs J, Wickersham J, Ikhtiaruddin W, Azwa I, Saifi R, Lim S, Shrestha R. An mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study. JMIR Formative Research 2023, 7: e48113. PMID: 37616034, PMCID: PMC10485720, DOI: 10.2196/48113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction toolSmartphone app-based interventionHIV prevention servicesApp-based interventionEvidence-based interventionsHarm reduction strategiesCondomless sexPrevention servicesLarger sample sizeGroup sexUnderserved populationsPsychoactive drugsExit interviewsChemsexMost participantsMenSexMalaysian menMobile healthParticipantsInterventionTotalAcceptabilityMHealthSexual experienceChemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study
Palmer L, Maviglia F, Wickersham J, Khati A, Kennedy O, Copenhaver N, Uyer C, Halim M, Ikhtiaruddin W, Azwa I, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Chemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 2023, 56: 585-594. PMID: 37610135, PMCID: PMC10884347, DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2250342.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction practicesReduction practicesOnline focus group sessionsSocio-contextual factorsCasual sexual encountersMalaysian MSMSexualized drug useFocus group sessionsQualitative studySexual encountersCompetent interventionsChemsexGlobal attentionEmpirical dataPracticeAcute needDrug useMSMInformational needsGroup sessionsPsychoactive substancesNeedMobile technologyInterventionMenDrivers of HIV self-testing among female sex workers: Findings from a multi-state study in Malaysia
Kim R, Wickersham J, Maviglia F, Galka J, Azwa I, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Drivers of HIV self-testing among female sex workers: Findings from a multi-state study in Malaysia. Frontiers In Medicine 2023, 10: 1022746. PMID: 37089614, PMCID: PMC10117675, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1022746.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersSex workStable housingSex workersCommunity-based organizationsChildhood sexual assaultMulti-state studyKuala LumpurSexual assaultDrivers of HIVUnstable housingHousingSocial mediaEffective implementationGreater willingnessVulnerable populationsThird of participantsWillingnessWorkersCorrelates of willingnessUrban environmentHIVST uptakeSelf-administered surveyMalaysiaPrisonClinic-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 score