2009
Persistence of Virological Benefits Following Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy Among Drug Users: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial
Maru DS, Bruce RD, Walton M, Springer SA, Altice FL. Persistence of Virological Benefits Following Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy Among Drug Users: Results From a Randomized Controlled Trial. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2009, 50: 176-181. PMID: 19131891, PMCID: PMC2670996, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0b013e3181938e7e.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSelf-administered therapyHIV-1 RNACD4 lymphocyte countVirological successDrug usersAntiretroviral therapyLymphocyte countMonths postinterventionLog10 HIV-1 RNAProportion of subjectsActive drug usersVirological benefitVirological outcomesSecondary outcomesControlled TrialsPrimary outcomeBlood samplesDAARTMultivariate analysisBenefits persistTherapyTrialsAdditional strategiesOutcomesPostintervention
2006
Impact of Enhanced Services on Virologic Outcomes in a Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy Trial for HIV-Infected Drug Users
Smith-Rohrberg D, Mezger J, Walton M, Bruce RD, Altice FL. Impact of Enhanced Services on Virologic Outcomes in a Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy Trial for HIV-Infected Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2006, 43: s48-s53. PMID: 17133204, DOI: 10.1097/01.qai.0000248338.74943.85.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-1 RNA levelsVirologic outcomesCase management servicesDrug usersVirologic successService utilizationRNA levelsHigher medical service utilizationHIV-1 RNA reductionLog10 HIV-1 RNAAntiretroviral Therapy (SMART) trialImproved virologic outcomesHealth service utilizationHIV-1 RNASelf-administered therapyCopies/mLMedical service utilizationActive drug usersSubstance abuse servicesAntiretroviral therapyHIV outcomesPrimary outcomeProblematic adherenceTherapy trialsDAART
2005
Attitudes toward and beliefs about prenatal HIV testing policies and mandatory HIV testing of newborns among drug users.
Fielder O, Altice FL. Attitudes toward and beliefs about prenatal HIV testing policies and mandatory HIV testing of newborns among drug users. AIDS & Public Policy Journal 2005, 20: 74-91. PMID: 17624031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV testingLongitudinal cohort studyMandatory HIV testingPregnant womenDrug usersCohort studyMandatory testingCertain races/ethnicitiesPerinatal HIV testingPrior HIV testingHigh-risk womenHIV testing policiesHealthcare systemActive drug usersMajority of subjectsFocus groupsStructured interviewsRace/ethnicityRespondent-driven samplingHIV statusBaby's healthAdverse outcomesPrenatal careSuboptimal careHealth beliefs
2003
Pilot study to enhance HIV care using needle exchange-based health services for out-of-treatment injecting drug users
Altice FL, Springer S, Buitrago M, Hunt DP, Friedland GH. Pilot study to enhance HIV care using needle exchange-based health services for out-of-treatment injecting drug users. Journal Of Urban Health 2003, 80: 416-427. PMID: 12930880, PMCID: PMC3455979, DOI: 10.1093/jurban/jtg053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusNondetectable viral loadCD4 lymphocyte countDrug treatmentDrug usersLymphocyte countViral loadHIV therapyBaseline HIV-1 RNA levelsNeedle exchangeHealth servicesHIV-1 RNA levelsPilot studyPotent antiretroviral combinationUtilization of HAARTActive antiretroviral therapyAntiretroviral therapy regimensHIV-1 RNACommunity-based health interventionsAdverse side effectsActive drug usersFormal drug treatmentImmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidenceSmall pilot studyActive heroin injectors
2002
Increasing drug users’ adherence to HIV treatment: results of a peer-driven intervention feasibility study
Broadhead RS, Heckathorn DD, Altice FL, van Hulst Y, Carbone M, Friedland GH, O’Connor P, Selwyn PA. Increasing drug users’ adherence to HIV treatment: results of a peer-driven intervention feasibility study. Social Science & Medicine 2002, 55: 235-246. PMID: 12144138, DOI: 10.1016/s0277-9536(01)00167-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive drug usersDrug users' adherenceDrug usersDrug treatmentMedical carePrimary careIntervention feasibility studySocial support structuresHealth advocatesUser adherenceTreatment program staffPeer-driven interventionHIV diseaseHIV infectionPatient adherenceSix-month studyHIV treatmentPhysician referralClinical appointmentsHIV therapeuticsCarePositive behavioral changesAdherencePeer pressureTreatment