2017
Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia
Bazazi AR, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Shrestha R, Al-Darraji H, Copenhaver MM, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2017, 59: 1-12. PMID: 28479216, PMCID: PMC5557499, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2017.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV transmission risk behaviorsMaintenance therapyTransmission risk behaviorsEvidence-based behavioral interventionsOpioid dependencePoor HIV treatment outcomesRisk behaviorsBehavioral interventionsHIV treatment outcomesProspective clinical trialsEvidence-based treatmentsHealth-related outcomesOpioid useTreatment receiptClinical trialsTreatment outcomesIncarcerated peopleTherapyStudy participantsFactorial trialHIVTrialsInterventionOutcomes
2016
Pre‐incarceration police harassment, drug addiction and HIV risk behaviours among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan: results from a nationally representative cross‐sectional study
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wegman MP, Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Pre‐incarceration police harassment, drug addiction and HIV risk behaviours among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan: results from a nationally representative cross‐sectional study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2016, 19: 20880. PMID: 27435715, PMCID: PMC4951538, DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.20880.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRepresentative cross-sectional studyHIV risk behaviorsCross-sectional studyHIV riskAddiction severityRisk behaviorsHIV risk-taking behaviorsPrison drug injectionDrug addiction severityHealth assessment surveyHIV transmissionPotential confoundersDrug injectionHIV epidemicDrug usersHigher addiction severityDrug useBivariate testingThird of prisonersDrug addictionSeverityPWIDEpidemic responseRiskStrongest correlateTrials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine
Azbel L, Grishaev Y, Wickersham JA, Chernova O, Dvoryak S, Polonsky M, Altice FL. Trials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2016, 12: 78-87. PMID: 27219905, PMCID: PMC5513812, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-10-2014-0041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFormer Soviet UnionHarsh prison sentencesDesign/methodology/approach Qualitative interviewsCriminal justice systemUkrainian prisonsJustice systemPrison sentencesOriginality/valueSoviet UnionBio-behavioural surveyPrisonSpecific contextDepartment involvementAdministrative staffUkraineImplementation scienceHIV epidemic
2015
Validation of a Brief Measure of Opioid Dependence
Wickersham JA, Azar MM, Cannon CM, Altice FL, Springer SA. Validation of a Brief Measure of Opioid Dependence. Journal Of Correctional Health Care 2015, 21: 12-26. PMID: 25559628, PMCID: PMC4435561, DOI: 10.1177/1078345814557513.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid dependencePredictive valueMini International Neuropsychiatric InterviewModerate diagnostic agreementHIV-positive individualsInternational Neuropsychiatric InterviewNegative predictive valuePositive predictive valueAverage administrationNeuropsychiatric InterviewInter-item correlationsMental disordersDiagnostic agreementStatistical ManualStrong internal consistencyComprehensive interviewPrimary measureFourth EditionInternal consistencyPsychometric propertiesResearch settingsBrief measureConcordance analysisInitial validationAdministration
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' attitudesWithin-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Wickersham JA, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 25: 845-852. PMID: 24951025, PMCID: PMC4148465, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection equipment sharingPrison drug injectionNeedle/syringeIndependent correlatesDrug injectionNeedle/syringe exchange programsDrug useOpioid substitution therapyInjection drug useEquipment sharingSyringe exchange programsHigh-risk behaviorsPrior drug useOpioid useHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionSubstitution therapyMale genderHarm reduction practicesHIVLogistic regressionMental healthConvenience sampleComplete data
2013
Partner violence and health among HIV-infected jail detainees
Meyer JP, Wickersham JA, Fu JJ, Brown SE, Sullivan TP, Springer SA, Altice FL. Partner violence and health among HIV-infected jail detainees. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2013, 9: 124-141. PMID: 24376468, PMCID: PMC3873166, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2013-0011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIntimate partner violenceSubstance use disordersHIV treatment outcomesHealthcare utilizationPartner violenceTreatment outcomesJail detaineesIPV exposureEffects of IPVHIV secondary preventionPost-release interventionsUntreated mental disordersDepth qualitative interviewsLifetime IPV exposureForms of childhoodHigher alcohol use severityCriminal justice populationsAlcohol use severityViolence reductionCJ populationsTime of incarcerationHIV diagnosisSecondary preventionAdulthood abuseQualitative interviewsUnderstanding the Revolving Door: Individual and Structural-Level Predictors of Recidivism Among Individuals with HIV Leaving Jail
Fu JJ, Herme M, Wickersham JA, Zelenev A, Althoff A, Zaller ND, Bazazi AR, Avery AK, Porterfield J, Jordan AO, Simon-Levine D, Lyman M, Altice FL. Understanding the Revolving Door: Individual and Structural-Level Predictors of Recidivism Among Individuals with HIV Leaving Jail. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 17: 145-155. PMID: 24037440, PMCID: PMC4049299, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0590-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultCriminal LawFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHealth Services Needs and DemandHIV InfectionsHumansIll-Housed PersonsLogistic ModelsMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisPrisonersPrisonsRecurrenceSocial AdjustmentSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance-Related DisordersVulnerable PopulationsConceptsJail releasePoor health outcomesMajor psychiatric disordersIndex incarcerationCriminal justice involvementHealth of individualsHigh riskPsychiatric disordersHIVHealth outcomesHealth interventionsPotential targetHealth insuranceIncarceration historyJustice involvementInterventionPredictorsHealthIndividualsPrior homelessnessMethadone dose at the time of release from prison significantly influences retention in treatment: Implications from a pilot study of HIV-infected prisoners transitioning to the community in Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Zahari MM, Azar MM, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Methadone dose at the time of release from prison significantly influences retention in treatment: Implications from a pilot study of HIV-infected prisoners transitioning to the community in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 132: 378-382. PMID: 23414931, PMCID: PMC3718876, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.01.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance treatmentMethadone doseKaplan-Meier survival analysisDose escalation procedureMethadone initiationThirty HIVMMT clinicsEvaluable participantsMaintenance treatmentOpioid dependenceMMT programSide effectsHigh dosesSurvival analysisHIVFirst weekPilot studyDoseMonthsTreatmentEscalation procedureDosesCravingParticipantsMonths of releaseImplementing methadone maintenance treatment in prisons in Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Marcus R, Kamarulzaman A, Zahari MM, Altice FL. Implementing methadone maintenance treatment in prisons in Malaysia. Bulletin Of The World Health Organization 2013, 91: 124-129. PMID: 23554524, PMCID: PMC3605007, DOI: 10.2471/blt.12.109132.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDose of methadoneMMT programHIV infectionHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infectionMethadone maintenance treatment programDaily oral doseImmunodeficiency virus infectionMethadone maintenance treatmentMaintenance treatment programHarm reduction strategiesMinistry of HealthAdequate dosingOral doseMaintenance treatmentMethadone treatmentStandard operating proceduresMMT clientsVirus infectionTreatment programMethadoneOngoing educationInfectionDosePhase 3TuberculosisGender Differences in Baseline Health, Needs at Release, and Predictors of Care Engagement Among HIV-Positive Clients Leaving Jail
Williams CT, Kim S, Meyer J, Spaulding A, Teixeira P, Avery A, Moore K, Altice F, Murphy-Swallow D, Simon D, Wickersham J, Ouellet LJ. Gender Differences in Baseline Health, Needs at Release, and Predictors of Care Engagement Among HIV-Positive Clients Leaving Jail. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 17: 195-202. PMID: 23314801, PMCID: PMC3758427, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-012-0391-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultContinuity of Patient CareFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHealth Services AccessibilityHealth Services Needs and DemandHealth StatusHIV InfectionsHumansInterviews as TopicMaleMiddle AgedPatient Acceptance of Health CarePatient DischargePrimary Health CarePrisonersPrisonsProgram EvaluationSex DistributionSex FactorsSocial WorkSubstance Abuse, IntravenousConceptsSocial service needsCriminal justice settingsGender differencesJustice settingsEnhancing LinkagesCare engagementService needsGender-specific strategiesMore chronic health conditionsSevere substance use disordersHIV primary careMultisite demonstration projectHIV-positive clientsChronic health conditionsMore womenSubstance use disordersJailEngagementWorse healthDifferent needsPrescribed ARTPrimary careBaseline healthUse disordersJail detainees
2012
Post-Release Substance Abuse Outcomes Among HIV-Infected Jail Detainees: Results from a Multisite Study
Krishnan A, Wickersham JA, Chitsaz E, Springer SA, Jordan AO, Zaller N, Altice FL. Post-Release Substance Abuse Outcomes Among HIV-Infected Jail Detainees: Results from a Multisite Study. AIDS And Behavior 2012, 17: 171-180. PMID: 23142854, PMCID: PMC3600070, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-012-0362-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultBehavior, AddictiveFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHealth Services Needs and DemandHIV InfectionsHumansIll-Housed PersonsInsurance, HealthMaleMiddle AgedMultivariate AnalysisPatient DischargePrevalencePrisonsProspective StudiesSeverity of Illness IndexSocial WorkSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance-Related DisordersTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultConceptsOpioid useJail detaineesPoor health outcomesSubstance use disordersSubstance abuse outcomesSubsequent drug useSubstance abuse treatmentOpioid relapseProspective cohortPsychiatric morbidityAppropriate diagnosisHigh prevalenceComplicate treatmentPsychiatric careUse disordersAlcohol severitySix monthsHealth outcomesDrug useHIVHealthcare accessAbuse treatmentSubstance abuseDrug relapseHealthcare outcomes