2023
Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Madden L, Stöver H, Teltzrow R, Altice F. Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002168. PMID: 37440470, PMCID: PMC10343058, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002168.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAgonist maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyInjection drug usePrevention of HIVGold standard treatmentRisk of HIVHigh prevalence ratesCare continuityStandard treatmentPrevalence ratesUse disordersImplementation science lensDrug useHarm reductionTreatment modelHIVPatientsClinicTherapyAddiction treatment modelsTreatmentProvidersInvasionInterview participantsChallenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias
DiDomizio E, Chandra D, Nichols L, Villanueva M, Altice F. Challenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 998-1008. PMID: 37440258, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169928.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNominal group techniqueHealth care decisionsProvider perspectivesEligibility criteriaHIV/HCVEffective antiviral medicationsPatient eligibility criteriaFacilitators of treatmentMicro-EliminationHCV treatmentAntiviral medicationsOpioid epidemicProvider knowledgePatient involvementPatient engagementDifferent clinicsRelated stigmaHCVCare decisionsHIVPatientsTreatmentGroup sessionsMost barriersFocus group sessions
2022
A pilot implementation study to scale-up methadone in incarcerated persons with opioid use disorder and retain them on treatment after release in Moldova
Dorgay CE, Bromberg DJ, Doltu S, Litz T, Galvez S, Polonsky M, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. A pilot implementation study to scale-up methadone in incarcerated persons with opioid use disorder and retain them on treatment after release in Moldova. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2022, 104: 103683. PMID: 35417790, PMCID: PMC9827420, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103683.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance treatmentOpioid use disorderUse disordersBrief interventionPilot implementation studySBIRT interventionTreatment initiationMaintenance treatmentMethadonePotential implementation strategiesIncarcerated personsInterventionImplementation studyTreatment proceduresBaselineDisordersTreatmentParticipantsDays of releaseReleaseImplementation strategiesPre-trial detention facilitySessionsHIVReferral
2021
Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program
Bachireddy C, Shrestha R, Bromberg DJ, Azbel L, Kurmanalieva A, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Rozanova J, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2021, 101: 103558. PMID: 34915426, PMCID: PMC9998103, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103558.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV statusMean treatment durationOpioid use disorderPositive HIV statusDuration of treatmentMethadone doseHIV incidenceMethadone servicesMethadone treatmentIndependent correlatesHIV preventionUse disordersTreatment durationMethadoneNational programTreatmentHIVAdministrative dataCommunity releaseMonthsKyrgyz prisonsFirst evaluationIncarcerated peopleDurationRelease
2019
Cost‐effectiveness of expanding the capacity of opioid agonist treatment in Ukraine: dynamic modeling analysis
Morozova O, Crawford FW, Cohen T, Paltiel AD, Altice FL. Cost‐effectiveness of expanding the capacity of opioid agonist treatment in Ukraine: dynamic modeling analysis. Addiction 2019, 115: 437-450. PMID: 31478285, PMCID: PMC7015766, DOI: 10.1111/add.14797.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid use disorderOAT coverageAgonist treatmentGross domestic productOpioid use initiationOpioid addiction epidemicOAT accessHIV epidemicUse disordersAddiction epidemicCapita gross domestic productPay thresholdsTreatment demandUse initiationAddiction treatmentIncremental costBaseline capacityTreatmentPotential peer effectsDomestic productTreatment spilloversEpidemicPeer effectsCoverage levelsPrisons: ignore them at our peril.
Kamarulzaman A, Verster A, Altice FL. Prisons: ignore them at our peril. Current Opinion In HIV And AIDS 2019, 14: 415-422. PMID: 31343458, PMCID: PMC7137098, DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedication-assisted therapyDrug useHIV prevention toolPrevalence of HIVMedication-assisted treatmentSyringe services programCriminal justice settingsBasic healthcareMiddle-income settingsHCV preventionOpioid dependenceTreatment strategiesHigh prevalenceOverdose managementRoutine screeningPrevention servicesHIVKey populationsMental healthcareHCVConsolidated guidelinesPrevention toolJustice settingsTreatmentEffective screeningUsing nominal group technique to identify barriers, facilitators, and preferences among patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder: A needs assessment for decision making support
Muthulingam D, Bia J, Madden LM, Farnum SO, Barry DT, Altice FL. Using nominal group technique to identify barriers, facilitators, and preferences among patients seeking treatment for opioid use disorder: A needs assessment for decision making support. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2019, 100: 18-28. PMID: 30898324, PMCID: PMC6432946, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.01.019.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderNominal group techniquePharmacologic therapyUse disordersSyringe exchange programsIndividual-level barriersEvidence-based interventionsAddiction treatment centersEvidence-based strategiesOUD treatmentPharmacologic treatmentSpecific medicationsTreatment optionsPharmacologic propertiesMedicationsDecision aidPatient considerationsSide effectsTreatment centersOpioid crisisSpecific knowledge gapsGroup techniqueDecision aid developmentTreatmentTherapy
2018
Assessment of barrier severity and willingness to enter opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Zelenev A, Shea P, Mazhnaya A, Rozanova J, Madden L, Marcus R, Altice FL. Assessment of barrier severity and willingness to enter opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2018, 190: 82-88. PMID: 29990648, PMCID: PMC6292439, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.05.027.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid-dependent peopleSubstance abuse treatment programsCross-sectional surveyAgonist therapyAgonist treatmentHIV preventionTreatment perceptionsTreatment efficacyOAT expansionStudy participantsTreatment programAddiction treatmentComposite measureSeveritySocial stigmaDrugsTreatmentStructural barriersBarrier severityParticipantsPerceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Rozanova J, Morozova O, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg JM, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Perceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Journal Of Urban Health 2018, 95: 508-522. PMID: 29728898, PMCID: PMC6095752, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0256-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentSubstance use disordersUse disordersMethadone treatmentDrug usersPoor general healthGeneral health conditionPerception of healthAgonist treatmentDrug injectionGeneral healthHigh prevalenceHealth needsHealth-related tasksLogistic regressionMethadoneHealth conditionsPre-release planningDisordersTreatmentPublic healthTotal samplePrison settingDrugsHealthA qualitative assessment of attitudes about and preferences for extended-release naltrexone, a new pharmacotherapy to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine
Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Makarenko I, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL, Springer SA. A qualitative assessment of attitudes about and preferences for extended-release naltrexone, a new pharmacotherapy to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2018, 86: 86-93. PMID: 29415856, PMCID: PMC5808584, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyXR-NTXExtended-release naltrexonePsychological supportOpioid use disorderHIV prevention effortsFocus groupsPerceptions of recoveryAgonist therapyOpioid withdrawalYoung PWIDOpioid antagonistPatient preferencesNew pharmacotherapiesPsychoactive medicationsInjection careerUse disordersFocus group transcriptsPWIDPrevention effortsNaltrexoneGroup transcriptsIndividual barriersTreatmentWithdrawal
2017
Retention in medication-assisted treatment programs in Ukraine—Identifying factors contributing to a continuing HIV epidemic
Dumchev K, Dvoryak S, Chernova O, Morozova O, Altice FL. Retention in medication-assisted treatment programs in Ukraine—Identifying factors contributing to a continuing HIV epidemic. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 48: 44-53. PMID: 28800420, PMCID: PMC5603251, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentMedication-assisted treatment programTB test resultsTwelve-month retentionCare delivery systemCorrelates of retentionEvidence-based strategiesTB patientsMultivariable analysisOpioid dependenceAgonist treatmentHIV transmissionClinical recordsHIV epidemicOAT programsPatient retentionHigher dosingHigh dosesTreatment programPatientsSurvival analysis methodsDosingTuberculosisElectronic monitoring systemTreatmentPatient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine
Marcus R, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Zelenev A, Polonsky M, Madden L, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Springer SA, Altice FL. Patient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 179: 213-219. PMID: 28806638, PMCID: PMC5599372, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOpioid use disorderExtended-release naltrexoneXR-NTXHIV preventionIndependent correlatesPatient preferencesUse disordersShort-term injectorsPatient-centered treatmentAgonist therapyPharmacological therapyHIV incidenceTreatment optionsPWIDTreatment entryAddiction treatmentPreventionNaltrexoneShort durationTherapyNegative attitudesDisordersNew optionsTreatmentWillingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Madden L, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Willingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 45: 56-63. PMID: 28628853, PMCID: PMC5533603, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid-dependent peopleAgonist treatmentCurrent opioid agonist treatmentCross-sectional nationwide surveyMonthly incomeMultivariate logistic regressionIndependent predictorsPWIDKruskal-Wallis testPsychosocial counselingPrevious unsuccessful attemptsYounger ageLogistic regressionDependent peopleHigher incomeOne-way ANOVANationwide surveyDrugsContinuous variablesFamily supportTreatmentLarge percentageBetter access
2016
Attitudes toward medication-assisted treatment among fishermen in Kuantan, Malaysia, who inject drugs
Brown SE, Wickersham JA, Pelletier AR, Marcus RM, Erenrich R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Attitudes toward medication-assisted treatment among fishermen in Kuantan, Malaysia, who inject drugs. Journal Of Ethnicity In Substance Abuse 2016, 16: 363-379. PMID: 27404914, PMCID: PMC5592158, DOI: 10.1080/15332640.2016.1196632.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSocial Network Strategies to Address HIV Prevention and Treatment Continuum of Care Among At-risk and HIV-infected Substance Users: A Systematic Scoping Review
Ghosh D, Krishnan A, Gibson B, Brown SE, Latkin CA, Altice FL. Social Network Strategies to Address HIV Prevention and Treatment Continuum of Care Among At-risk and HIV-infected Substance Users: A Systematic Scoping Review. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 1183-1207. PMID: 27125244, PMCID: PMC5085887, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1413-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSocial network-based interventionHIV preventionSubstance usersHIV care continuumSystematic review highlightsCare linkageViral suppressionART adherenceSystematic scoping reviewEvidence-based practiceCare continuumTreatment continuumSystematic reviewNetwork-based interventionsPreventionHIVScoping ReviewReview highlightsSocial network strategyBibliographic databasesInterventionTreatmentMost studiesReviewStudyThe Future of Opioid Agonist Therapies in Ukraine: A Qualitative Assessment of Multilevel Barriers and ways Forward to Promote retention in treatment
Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Makarenko I, Islam Z, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. The Future of Opioid Agonist Therapies in Ukraine: A Qualitative Assessment of Multilevel Barriers and ways Forward to Promote retention in treatment. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2016, 66: 37-47. PMID: 27211995, PMCID: PMC4919997, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2016.03.003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnalgesics, OpioidDelivery of Health CareFemaleFocus GroupsGrounded TheoryHumansMaleOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPatient Acceptance of Health CarePractice Guidelines as TopicPractice Patterns, Physicians'Quality ImprovementSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUkraineConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOAT retentionAgonist therapyTreatment goalsAdditional patient educationRealistic treatment goalsPrimary care settingQuality improvement interventionsCommunity-level barriersPatient educationOpioid addictionCare settingsTreatment retentionMultilevel barriersTreatment settingsImprovement interventionsPWIDMedical staffTherapyTreatmentCommunity awarenessDelivery barriersExperiences of PWIDHigh attritionFocus groupsAttitudes Toward Addiction, Methadone Treatment, and Recovery Among HIV-Infected Ukrainian Prisoners Who Inject Drugs: Incarceration Effects and Exploration of Mediators
Polonsky M, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg J, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Attitudes Toward Addiction, Methadone Treatment, and Recovery Among HIV-Infected Ukrainian Prisoners Who Inject Drugs: Incarceration Effects and Exploration of Mediators. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 20: 2950-2960. PMID: 27011378, PMCID: PMC5035551, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1375-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyGroup 1Drug useGroup 2 participantsDrug addiction severityAwareness of addictionMaintenance therapyMethadone treatmentExploration of mediatorsHIV stigmaGroup 2MMT treatmentAddiction severityGroup comparisonsDrug addictionHIVHigh rateAddictionHigher optimismDrugsTreatmentParticipantsMethadoneGroupPaper’s key findings
2015
The Impact of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders on the HIV Continuum of Care: a Systematic Review
Vagenas P, Azar MM, Copenhaver MM, Springer SA, Molina PE, Altice FL. The Impact of Alcohol Use and Related Disorders on the HIV Continuum of Care: a Systematic Review. Current HIV/AIDS Reports 2015, 12: 421-436. PMID: 26412084, PMCID: PMC4643391, DOI: 10.1007/s11904-015-0285-5.BooksConceptsViral suppressionTreatment cascadeAntiretroviral therapyHIV continuumAlcohol useAlcohol consumptionSystematic reviewHIV treatment cascadeEvidence-based behavioralCohort studyHIV progressionHIV transmissionHIV treatmentPharmacological interventionsProblematic alcohol consumptionIncome settingsRelated disordersClinical research papersPrevention mandateCareNegative associationNumerous negative consequencesInterventionPLHTreatmentDrug Treatment as HIV Prevention Among Women and Girls Who Inject Drugs From a Global Perspective
Springer SA, Larney S, Alam-mehrjerdi Z, Altice FL, Metzger D, Shoptaw S. Drug Treatment as HIV Prevention Among Women and Girls Who Inject Drugs From a Global Perspective. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2015, 69: s155-s161. PMID: 25978482, PMCID: PMC4443704, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000000637.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedication-assisted therapyDrug treatmentAntiretroviral therapyHIV transmission riskNew HIV infectionsHarm reduction servicesSubstance use disordersPoor treatment accessImplementation of interventionsOpioid useHIV infectionEvidence-based practiceHIV preventionOpioid addictionTreatment accessUse disordersReduction servicesSexual riskTransmission riskTherapyWomenTreatmentDrugsImpressive lackSignificant reduction“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