2024
Integrated Online-to-Offline 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
Khati A, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Paudel K, Phiphatkhunarnon P, Lim S, Puniamurthy K, Altice F, Phanuphak N, Azwa I, Shrestha R. Integrated Online-to-Offline 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. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e60962. PMID: 39441624, PMCID: PMC11541154, DOI: 10.2196/60962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAdaptation 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 needsExploring 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 explorationHigh 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 income
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 strategiesInfectionClinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability
Shrestha R, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Gautam K, Gupta S, Sullivan P, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Phiphatkunarnon P, Wickersham J. Clinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2023, 11: e44468. PMID: 36795465, PMCID: PMC9982718, DOI: 10.2196/44468.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention servicesINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPrevention servicesMean ageHIV preventionPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention outcomesHIV self-testing (HIVST) kitsParticipants' mean ageSelf-testing kitsHealth care settingsMobile health platformMalaysian MSMMixed-methods evaluationHIV testingCare settingsLocal clinicSystem Usability ScalePrevention outcomesDays of testingMSMSmartphone appPrEPHIVMean scoreHigh Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia
Paudel K, Gupta S, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ha T, Shrestha R. High Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia. Journal Of Community Health 2023, 48: 513-521. PMID: 36732459, PMCID: PMC10200758, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01195-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLAI-PrEPHIV preventionInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsPre-exposure prophylaxisOnline cross-sectional surveyCross-sectional surveyInjectable cabotegravirInjectable PrEPMalaysian MSMPrEP modalitiesOral PrEPHIV testingMiddle-income countriesOral pillsPrior historySide effectsRecent approvalPrEP optionsStudy participantsMSMPrEPNationwide surveyConvenience samplingNationwide sample
2022
Ethical Issues in the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men
Khati A, Wickersham J, Rosen A, Luces J, Copenhaver N, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Halim M, Azwa I, Gautam K, Ooi K, Shrestha R. Ethical Issues in the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men. JMIR Formative Research 2022, 6: e42939. PMID: 36563046, PMCID: PMC9823573, DOI: 10.2196/42939.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention programsHIV preventionPrevention programsHIV prevention cascadeMobile health platformMalaysian MSMPrevention cascadeImplementation of appsKey populationsFocus group studyInformed consentDedoose softwareGroup studySmartphone appMSMPreventionHealth informationPersonal health informationHealth platformMenUnintended harmFocus group discussionsSexEthical concernsEquitable accessClinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial
Shrestha R, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Sullivan P, Jadkarim L, Eger W, Gautam K, Altice F. Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e43318. PMID: 36542425, PMCID: PMC9813821, DOI: 10.2196/43318.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention servicesHIV testingMalaysian MSMPhase IHIV preventionPrevention servicesLarge-scale efficacy trialsHIV prevention resourcesMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsCare delivery servicesHealth care delivery servicesMultiphase trialPrEP servicesMiddle-income countriesHIV epidemicEfficacy trialsTrial designPrevention strategiesEntrenched stigmaHealth outcomesReal-world settingHealth interventions“I want the doctors to know that I am as bright as a candle”:
Earnshaw V, Cox J, Wong P, Saifi R, Walters S, Azwa I, Omar S, Collier Z, Hassan A, Lim S, Wickersham J, Haddad M, Kamarulzaman A. “I want the doctors to know that I am as bright as a candle”:. AIDS And Behavior 2022, 27: 2103-2112. PMID: 36472685, PMCID: PMC9734400, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-022-03942-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNurse 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 practitionersMobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey
Shrestha R, Maviglia F, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim MAA, Wickersham JA. Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2022, 24: e36917. PMID: 35877172, PMCID: PMC9361153, DOI: 10.2196/36917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention informationHIV preventionDrug usePrevention informationMalaysian menMHealth platformHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention toolHIV prevention servicesSexual activityReceptive anal sexMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthIllicit drug useSexualized drug useCross-sectional surveyAcceptability of mHealthHealth technology useSelf-administered questionnaireRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementDearth of evidencePrevention servicesPerspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men
Khati A, Shrestha R, Rosen A, Luces J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Halim M. Perspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39372. DOI: 10.2196/39372.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention effortsHIV prevention programsHIV preventionMalaysian MSMPrevention effortsPrevention programsHIV prevention cascadePrevention cascadeImplementation of appsKey populationsFocus group studyMSMDedoose softwareGroup studySmartphone appPreventionMenOnline focus group discussionsFocus group discussionsApp useSexRiskParticipantsConfidentiality concernsEthical concernsMobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia
Maviglia F, Shrestha R, Altice F, DiDomizio L, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim M, Wickersham J. Mobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39303. DOI: 10.2196/39303.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcceptability of mHealthHIV preventionMalaysian MSMHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention needsHIV prevention servicesHIV prevention informationHIV prevention effortsCross-sectional surveyRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementPrevention needsDearth of evidencePrevention servicesMHealth interventionsDrug useKey populationsMHealth strategiesRisk-related behaviorsDrug cravingPrevention informationPrevention effortsParticipant demographicsPrevention
2021
The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to HIV Prevention Services Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals
Mistler CB, Curley CM, Rosen AO, El-Krab R, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, Khati A, Shrestha R. The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to HIV Prevention Services Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals. Journal Of Community Health 2021, 46: 960-966. PMID: 33770334, PMCID: PMC7996112, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-021-00979-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderHIV prevention servicesSTI testingHIV counselorsPrEP prescriptionPrevention servicesCOVID-19Pre-exposure prophylaxis servicesOpioid use disorder treatmentCOVID-19 pandemicClean injection equipmentOpioid-dependent individualsOpioid-dependent peopleUse disorder treatmentInjection equipmentHIV testingInfection testingBlood testingHIV preventionUse disordersPWIDDisorder treatmentDoctor's appointmentAdverse effectsCase managers
2020
Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and PrEP Implementation Preferences Among Transgender Women in Malaysia
Galka JM, Wang M, Azwa I, Gibson B, Lim SH, Shrestha R, Wickersham JA. Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and PrEP Implementation Preferences Among Transgender Women in Malaysia. Transgender Health 2020, 5: 258-266. PMID: 33644315, PMCID: PMC7906238, DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV preventionTransgender womenWorld Health Organization indicationsEffective HIV prevention strategiesDelivery of PrEPHigh HIV burdenInjection drug useHIV prevention strategiesMalaysian adult populationProphylaxis useHIV burdenHormone usePrEP willingnessHigh school educationPrevention strategiesDrug useAdult populationOlder ageSubstance abusePrEPMultivariate modelChinese ethnicityMost participantsPreventionAwareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs
Shrestha R, DiDomizio EE, Kim RS, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM. Awareness about and willingness to use long-acting injectable pre-exposure prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) among people who use drugs. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2020, 117: 108058. PMID: 32811633, PMCID: PMC7438607, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2020.108058.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLAI-PrEPOral pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsBangkok Tenofovir StudyEvidence-based HIVHigh-risk PWUDImportant key populationHIV-negative peopleOpioid use disorderHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention effortsAddiction treatment programsDaily PrEPOral PrEPAdherence challengesIndependent correlatesFemale sexClinical trialsHIV preventionIndependent factorsSide effectsUse disorders
2018
Evaluating Physicians’ Intention to Discriminate Against Patients Living with HIV in Malaysia
Tee YC, Earnshaw VA, Altice FL, Jin H, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Evaluating Physicians’ Intention to Discriminate Against Patients Living with HIV in Malaysia. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 23: 1039-1047. PMID: 30560483, PMCID: PMC6459712, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2362-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStigma-related constructsMajor university hospitalClasses of patientsCross-sectional online surveyNon-surgical specialtiesMore HIVSocio-demographic characteristicsUniversity HospitalHIV preventionTreatment strategiesPWHClinical experienceHIVBetter carePhysiciansMultivariate linear regressionMedical settingsInternational HIV preventionMost participantsLinear regressionPatientsCarePresent studyParticipantsStigma
2017
Willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Findings from an online survey
Lim SH, Mburu G, Bourne A, Pang J, Wickersham JA, Wei CKT, Yee IA, Wang B, Cassolato M, Azwa I. Willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Findings from an online survey. PLOS ONE 2017, 12: e0182838. PMID: 28902857, PMCID: PMC5597127, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182838.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV preventionLogistic regressionMale anal sex partnersAwareness of PrEPMultivariate logistic regressionSexual health servicesAnal sex partnersYears of ageDrug use behaviorsHalf of participantsPreventative medicationsMajority of participantsEligibility criteriaMalay menSex partnersGovernment hospitalsHealth servicesBivariate analysisPrEPMale partnersUnknown statusParticipant demographicsSafer sexMSM
2016
Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment
Azbel L, Polonsky M, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Asanov A, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 9-20. PMID: 27455177, PMCID: PMC5124506, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug injectionHIV infectionLifetime drug injectionPrison drug injectionHIV care continuumAntiretroviral therapy coverageConfidence intervalsMean numberEpidemic of HIVHealth assessment surveyUndiagnosed syphilisSyphilis infectionConsented participantsHIV incidenceHIV transmissionIndependent correlatesWeighted prevalenceEvidence-based responsesHIV epidemicCare continuumDuration of imprisonmentHIV preventionHealth SurveyAIDS mortalityHIV