2024
Increased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors
Thapa S, Ogunleye T, Shrestha R, Joshi R, Hannes K. Increased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors. Journal Of Homosexuality 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-27. PMID: 38456684, DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2320237.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenHIV testing servicesStructural barriersSub-Saharan AfricaSub-SaharanSub-Saharan African countriesSame-sex relationshipsHIV testingTesting servicesFear of discriminationAnalyzing socializationPhysical violenceSex relationshipsHIV testing uptakeLack of trustAfrican countriesQualitative evidence synthesisPoor accessIncreased stigmaRisky behaviorsCriminalsQualitative studyMSMTesting uptakeNon-disclosureExamining HIV Knowledge and Sexually Risky Behaviors among Female Sex Workers in Kampala, Uganda
Ssenyonjo J, Mistler C, Adler T, Shrestha R, Kyambadde P, Copenhaver M. Examining HIV Knowledge and Sexually Risky Behaviors among Female Sex Workers in Kampala, Uganda. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2024, 21: 163. PMID: 38397654, PMCID: PMC10888220, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020163.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale sex workersHealthcare providersHIV testingHIV preventionHistory of HIV testingRates of sexually transmitted infectionsCondom usageSex workersProvider-level barriersDevelopment of targeted interventionsPrimary HIV preventionHIV test resultsHealth education programsHIV transmission riskHIV prevention educationSexually transmitted infectionsHIV knowledgeHIV incidencePreventive interventionsFocus groupsTargeted interventionsReduce alcohol intakeHIV transmissionPrevention educationAlcohol intakeTesting 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
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
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 scoreHigh Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia
Paudel K, Gupta S, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ha T, Shrestha R. High Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia. Journal Of Community Health 2023, 48: 513-521. PMID: 36732459, PMCID: PMC10200758, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01195-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLAI-PrEPHIV preventionInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsPre-exposure prophylaxisOnline cross-sectional surveyCross-sectional surveyInjectable cabotegravirInjectable PrEPMalaysian MSMPrEP modalitiesOral PrEPHIV testingMiddle-income countriesOral pillsPrior historySide effectsRecent approvalPrEP optionsStudy participantsMSMPrEPNationwide surveyConvenience samplingNationwide sample
2022
Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial
Shrestha R, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Sullivan P, Jadkarim L, Eger W, Gautam K, Altice F. Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e43318. PMID: 36542425, PMCID: PMC9813821, DOI: 10.2196/43318.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention servicesHIV testingMalaysian MSMPhase IHIV preventionPrevention servicesLarge-scale efficacy trialsHIV prevention resourcesMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsCare delivery servicesHealth care delivery servicesMultiphase trialPrEP servicesMiddle-income countriesHIV epidemicEfficacy trialsTrial designPrevention strategiesEntrenched stigmaHealth outcomesReal-world settingHealth interventionsFormative Evaluation of the Acceptance of HIV Prevention Artificial Intelligence Chatbots By Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Focus Group Study
Peng ML, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Shrestha R, Azwa I, Zhou X, Halim MAA, Ikhtiaruddin WM, Tee V, Kamarulzaman A, Ni Z. Formative Evaluation of the Acceptance of HIV Prevention Artificial Intelligence Chatbots By Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Focus Group Study. JMIR Formative Research 2022, 6: e42055. PMID: 36201390, PMCID: PMC9585446, DOI: 10.2196/42055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV testingMobile health interventionsMobile health strategiesHealth care professionalsStigmatized health conditionsElevated riskHealth strategiesCare professionalsKey populationsHealth interventionsDigital health toolsFocus group studyHealth awarenessHIVHealth toolsHealth conditionsPervasive stigmaGroup studyPreventionImplementation strategiesPotential implementation strategiesSexual behaviorMenPublic healthTechnical errors
2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to HIV Prevention Services Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals
Mistler CB, Curley CM, Rosen AO, El-Krab R, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, Khati A, Shrestha R. The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to HIV Prevention Services Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals. Journal Of Community Health 2021, 46: 960-966. PMID: 33770334, PMCID: PMC7996112, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-021-00979-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderHIV prevention servicesSTI testingHIV counselorsPrEP prescriptionPrevention servicesCOVID-19Pre-exposure prophylaxis servicesOpioid use disorder treatmentCOVID-19 pandemicClean injection equipmentOpioid-dependent individualsOpioid-dependent peopleUse disorder treatmentInjection equipmentHIV testingInfection testingBlood testingHIV preventionUse disordersPWIDDisorder treatmentDoctor's appointmentAdverse effectsCase managersWillingness 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
Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis
Shrestha R, Alias H, Wong LP, Altice FL, Lim SH. Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis. BMC Public Health 2020, 20: 1777. PMID: 33238941, PMCID: PMC7687720, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09832-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClinic-based HIV testingHIV testing uptakeMethodsA cross-sectional online surveyCross-sectional online surveyNational AIDS ProgramAcceptability of HIVSTMalaysian MSMHIV testingTesting uptakeService delivery programsKey populationsHIVSTService delivery modelsAIDS ProgramMSMKit deliveryTelephone hotlineService delivery approachHigh acceptabilityDelivery programsMultiple barriersSafe useMean acceptabilityDelivery approachDelivery model
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
2017
Measuring Acceptability and Preferences for Implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Primary HIV Prevention Among High Risk Drug Users
Shrestha R, Karki P, Altice FL, Dubov O, Fraenkel L, Huedo-Medina T, Copenhaver M. Measuring Acceptability and Preferences for Implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Primary HIV Prevention Among High Risk Drug Users. AIDS And Behavior 2017, 22: 1228-1238. PMID: 28695388, PMCID: PMC5762432, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1851-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisSex-related risk behaviorsHigh-risk drug usersAcceptability of PrEPHigh-risk PWUDPrimary HIV preventionHIV prevention approachesDrug treatment settingsKey risk populationsHIV-negative PWUDHigh acceptabilityHIV clinicPrEP acceptabilityHIV testingPrEP uptakeMethadone clinicsHIV preventionRisk populationsSide effectsTreatment settingsDrug usersPrEP attributesRisk behaviorsPrEPUnderserved populations