2024
Adaptation 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 needsFACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANT USE AMONG MALAYSIAN TRANSGENDER WOMEN
JadKarim L, Shrestha R, Galka J, Azwa I, Razali N, Restar A, Gautam K, Wickersham J. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANT USE AMONG MALAYSIAN TRANSGENDER WOMEN. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110037. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIMPACT OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG PERSONS ON MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER
Mistler C, Copenhaver M, Shrestha R, Gunstad J. IMPACT OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG PERSONS ON MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110039. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchT73 Application of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to Optimize HIV Prevention Targeting People on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) who Have Cognitive Dysfunction: A Study Protocol
Copenhaver M, Mistler C, Shrestha R. T73 Application of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to Optimize HIV Prevention Targeting People on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) who Have Cognitive Dysfunction: A Study Protocol. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110522. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110522.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIntegrated online-to-offline (O2O) model of care for HIV prevention and treatment among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial (Preprint)
Khati A, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Paudel K, Phiphatkhunarnon P, Lim S, Puniamurthy K, Altice F, Phanuphak N, Azwa I, Shrestha R. Integrated online-to-offline (O2O) model of care for HIV prevention and treatment among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial (Preprint). JMIR Research Protocols 2024 DOI: 10.2196/60962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrevalence of common risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases among sexual and gender minorities in Kathmandu valley, Nepal
Poudel B, Paudel K, Adhikari B, Paudel R, Bhusal S, Adhikari N, Adhikari T, Sapkota V, Shrestha R. Prevalence of common risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases among sexual and gender minorities in Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Medicine 2024, 103: e37746. PMID: 38579035, PMCID: PMC10994461, DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037746.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNCD risk factorsPrevalence of NCD risk factorsNoncommunicable diseasesRisk factorsAlcohol consumptionSTEP wise approachTargeted health interventionsFace-to-face interviewsCross-sectional studyGender minoritiesInsufficient fruitStatistical Package for Social SciencesVegetable consumptionChronic respiratory diseasesSnowball sampling methodHealth interventionsCurrent smokingFace-to-faceAnthropometric measurementsMarital statusEmployment statusParticipant ageStructured questionnaireWise approachGlobal deathsExploring 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 ResearchHigher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia
Ahmad A, Bromberg D, Shrestha R, Salleh N, Bazazi A, Kamarulzaman A, Shenoi S, Altice F. Higher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2024, 126: 104369. PMID: 38484531, PMCID: PMC11056294, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104369.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethadone maintenance treatmentNational Institute of Drug AbuseMethadone dosePost-releaseOpioid dependenceMaintenance treatmentMethadone maintenance treatment doseHigher doses of methadoneProspective trialsHighest methadone dosagePost-release outcomesHigher methadone dosesMalaysia’s largest prison.Levels of depressionTreatment of opioid use disorderMonths of releaseDose of methadoneOpioid use disorderLargest prisonHigher dosageIncarcerated peopleIncarceration periodUse disorderMethadone dosageTime-to-event analysisDigital 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 stigmaIncreased 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 intakeHigh 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 incomeTesting 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 healthMediating 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 factorsMenIdeationUncovering 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 rateHIVDosing