2021
Purposeful 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 regression
2018
Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Shrestha R, Copenhaver MM. Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Addictive Behaviors 2018, 85: 88-93. PMID: 29879611, PMCID: PMC6337064, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMethadone-maintained patientsOngoing injection drug useViral suppressionAntiretroviral therapyInjection drug useHIV risk behaviorsDrug useSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsImproved virologic outcomesOptimal ART adherenceHigher CD4 countsSustained viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionVirologic outcomesCD4 countMaintenance therapyOptimal adherenceART adherenceHIV treatmentIndependent correlatesTreatment challengesRisk populationsPatientsHIV
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
2016
Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Altice FL, Krishnan A, Copenhaver M. Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 3100-3110. PMID: 28025735, PMCID: PMC5484759, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1637-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdultCell PhoneConnecticutDelivery of Health CareDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInternetMaleMethadoneNeurocognitive DisordersOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CarePrevalenceRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSmartphoneSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTelemedicineText MessagingConceptsSex-related risk behaviorsNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersRisk behaviorsHIV-negative drug usersHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk populationHigh-risk peopleHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthMethadone clinicsHIV preventionHigh prevalenceMedication remindersHealth programsMHealth acceptancePrevention effortsHealth conditionsMHealth technologiesConvenience sampleDrugsStandardized assessmentReal-world acceptanceMobile healthPhone calls