2024
The impact of emergency guidance to the COVID‐19 pandemic on treatment entry, retention and mortality among patients on methadone in Ukraine
Ivasiy R, Madden L, Meteliuk A, Machavariani E, Ahmad B, Zelenev A, Desai M, Bromberg D, Polonsky M, de Leon S, Farnum S, Islam Z, Altice F. The impact of emergency guidance to the COVID‐19 pandemic on treatment entry, retention and mortality among patients on methadone in Ukraine. Addiction 2024, 119: 1585-1596. PMID: 38807448, DOI: 10.1111/add.16565.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyTake-home dosesCOVID-19 guidancePre-COVID cohortAgonist therapyOptimal doseTreatment retentionEmergency guidanceEffective HIV prevention strategiesAdult HIV prevalenceHIV prevention strategiesMinistry of HealthImprove treatment retentionMethadone dosePatient survivalTime-dependent predictorsProspective cohortHIV prevalencePredictors of treatment retentionGovernmental clinicsPrimary outcomeHazard ratioPatient enrollmentPatientsMethadone patients
2023
Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia
Rosen A, Wickersham J, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Tee V, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Luces J, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Saifi R, Shrestha R. Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 20: 5669. PMID: 37174187, PMCID: PMC10177799, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP providersNominal group techniqueMalaysian MSMEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention strategiesPotential new strategyPrEP deliveryPrEP carePrEP initiationPrEP servicesPrEP uptakeDecision aidPrevention strategiesUnderstanding of barriersComplex clinical protocolsClinical protocolsMSMQualitative focus groupsCommunity stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMenSubstance use and other correlates of HIV infection among transwomen and men who have sex with men in Perú: Implications for targeted HIV prevention strategies for transwomen
Cyrus E, Lama J, Sanchez J, Sullivan D, Leon S, Villaran M, Vagenas P, Vu D, Coudray M, Altice F. Substance use and other correlates of HIV infection among transwomen and men who have sex with men in Perú: Implications for targeted HIV prevention strategies for transwomen. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0001464. PMID: 36962933, PMCID: PMC10022005, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001464.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV risk factorsRisk factorsHIV riskSubstance usePrevention strategiesCross-sectional biobehavioral surveyHIV prevention strategiesTargeted prevention strategiesDifferent risk factorsSubstance use patternsBinary logistic regressionHIV infectionHIV prevalenceBiobehavioral surveysHigh prevalenceChi-square analysisSecondary data analysisHigh riskDrug useAlcohol dependenceCocaine useLogistic regressionMSMClinical researchRelated correlates
2022
Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons
Liberman AR, Bromberg DJ, Litz T, Kurmanalieva A, Galvez S, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0276723. PMID: 36282864, PMCID: PMC9595522, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276723.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKyrgyz prisonsCriminal justice systemDepth qualitative interviewsMethadone utilizationMethadone treatmentMixed-method analysisBrief interventionJustice systemPrison systemCriminal subcultureQualitative interviewsEastern EuropeEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesCentral AsiaKyrgyz RepublicQualitative findingsPrison releaseHIV prevention strategiesPrisonInjection drug useMedication-assisted therapyMethadone uptakeInterpersonal relationshipsAttitudesHealth-related concernsNurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Khati A, Altice FL, Vlahov D, Eger WH, Lee J, Bohonnon T, Wickersham JA, Maviglia F, Copenhaver N, Shrestha R. Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e42585. PMID: 36222826, PMCID: PMC9597427, DOI: 10.2196/42585.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERSame-day PrEPHIV prevention programsPreliminary efficacyTrial designReal-world settingPrevention programsPre-exposure prophylaxis uptakePilot studyProspective pilot studySignificant public health concernOpioid use disorderHIV prevention strategiesHepatitis C virusOutbreak of HIVEvidence-based preventionPublic health concernInstitutional review boardMOUD initiationControlled TrialsPilot RCTC virusOpioid epidemicHIV preventionNurse practitioners
2020
The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Farnum SO, Makarenko I, Madden L, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Prokhorova T, Bojko MJ, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine. Addiction 2020, 116: 83-93. PMID: 32428276, PMCID: PMC7674222, DOI: 10.1111/add.15115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOAT discontinuationAgonist therapyTreatment retentionIndependent predictorsHIV epidemicCost-effective HIV prevention strategyMethadone maintenance treatment patientsObservational longitudinal cohort studySpecialty addictions treatmentBuprenorphine maintenance treatmentHigh dosageHIV prevention strategiesLongitudinal cohort studyOpioid-dependent peopleTreatment discontinuationCohort studyMaintenance treatmentMale sexTreatment patientsPrevention strategiesDiscontinuationYounger ageCenter settingAddiction treatmentFeasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Shrestha R, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Sibilio B, Ranjit YS, Copenhaver MM. Feasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Patient Preference And Adherence 2020, 14: 107-118. PMID: 32021122, PMCID: PMC6971384, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s236794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk reductionHIV preventionText messaging servicePrimary HIV preventionHIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent peopleReminder text messagesWeekly text messagesPost-intervention assessmentRisk reductionForty HIVPrEP adherenceText messagesSMS remindersRisk groupsText remindersPrevention strategiesUnderserved populationsMHealth technologiesAcceptability studyHealth carePreventionProphylaxisPreliminary evidence
2019
Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Ssenyonjo J, Copenhaver MM. Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2019, 82: 77-84. PMID: 31229618, PMCID: PMC6639056, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.06.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBio-behavioral interventionHIV risk reductionOpioid-dependent peopleMethadone maintenance programPrEP adherenceHIV transmission risk reductionFirst prospective trialPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention strategiesOngoing drug useRisk reductionBehavioral skills modelProspective trialSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeRisk reduction outcomesHIV riskWeek 20Prevention strategiesUnmet needDrug useHybrid type IBio-behavioral approachProcess evaluationAdherenceHIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy
LaMonaca K, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Azbel L, Morozova O, Altice FL. HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy. Current Psychiatry Reports 2019, 21: 47. PMID: 31161306, PMCID: PMC6685549, DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1038-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programDrug injectionAntiretroviral therapyHIV epidemicEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesNew HIV casesHIV prevention strategiesHarm reduction programsAgonist therapyHIV incidenceHIV casesRecent FindingsThoughPrevention strategiesSexual partnersHIVInjectionTherapyReduction programsEpidemicPunitive drug lawsService programsMortalityCliniciansIncidence
2018
Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: A cohort study
Loeliger KB, Meyer JP, Desai MM, Ciarleglio MM, Gallagher C, Altice FL. Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: A cohort study. PLOS Medicine 2018, 15: e1002667. PMID: 30300351, PMCID: PMC6177126, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002667.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsViral suppressionInjection drug useHIV careCohort studyTreatment outcomesDrug useNational HIV prevention strategyMultivariable logistic regression modelCase management visitsProportion of followRetrospective cohort studyEarly linkageHIV prevention strategiesLongitudinal treatment outcomesHealth insuranceBetter treatment outcomesSubstance use disordersCase management servicesLogistic regression modelsAntiretroviral therapyCohort participantsManagement visitsCriminal justice populationsLarge cohortPsychiatric disorders
2016
Factors associated with physical and sexual violence by police among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: implications for retention on opioid agonist therapy
Kutsa O, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Zelenev A, Mazhnaya A, Dvoriak S, Filippovych S, Altice FL. Factors associated with physical and sexual violence by police among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: implications for retention on opioid agonist therapy. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2016, 19: 20897. PMID: 27435717, PMCID: PMC4951533, DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.20897.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolice violenceSexual violenceViolence experiencesHIV prevention strategiesCost-effective HIV prevention strategyMore physical violenceOpioid agonist therapyPolice harassmentLaw enforcementPhysical violenceViolencePoliceFrequent harassmentPWID's experiencesEastern EuropeSexual assaultOAT retentionUkrainian citiesOAT clientsCentral AsiaHIV prevalence ratesAgonist therapyFrequent experiencesRespondent-driven samplingHIV prevention
2015
The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model
Lima VD, Graf I, Beckwith CG, Springer S, Altice FL, Coombs D, Kim B, Messina L, Montaner JS, Spaulding A. The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0123482. PMID: 25905725, PMCID: PMC4408043, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123482.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevalenceNew infectionsCondom useSexual risk behavior changePrevalence of HIVHIV prevention strategiesCumulative numberRisk behavior changeHistory of incarcerationBlack menHIV incidenceHIV transmissionHIV epidemicPrevention strategiesPrevalenceInfectionMortalityMenPrison releaseBehavior changeStatus quo scenarioSexUnited StatesYearsSetting“Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Makarenko I, Marcus R, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. “Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drugs Education Prevention And Policy 2015, 22: 255-262. PMID: 27087758, PMCID: PMC4831711, DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2015.1016397.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid substitution therapySubstitution therapySide effectsEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent PWIDHIV prevention strategiesMulti-level barriersImplementation science projectHIV preventionMethadone clientsTreatment accessWaiting listPWIDPrevention strategiesTreatment attitudesSocial marketing campaignFree treatmentTreatment slotsTreatmentPublic healthTherapyFocus group discussionsDrugsStructural barriersParticipants
2014
Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Taxman FS, Grishaev E, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2014, 148: 47-55. PMID: 25620732, PMCID: PMC4330127, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHIV/AIDSSubstitution therapyEffective HIV prevention strategiesHIV prevention strategiesDrug intoleranceOpioid dependencePrevention treatmentPrevention strategiesSubsequent interventionsUkrainian prisonsHealth benefitsScientific evidenceDrug addictionTherapyPositive attitudesTreatmentAIDSAddictionPersonnel attitudesOverwhelming evidenceCriminal justice outcomesEffective formCustodial staffWorkers' attitudes
2000
Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando D, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. DOI: 10.1097/00126334-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate modelPrevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando M, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. PMID: 11064506, DOI: 10.1097/00042560-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate model