2024
High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine
Ottesen T, Wickersham J, Lawrence J, Antoniak S, Zezuilin O, Polonsky M, Antonyak S, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Altice F. High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305086. PMID: 39028735, PMCID: PMC11259278, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapy prescriptionAntiretroviral therapyCD4 countSubstance use disordersIncreased levels of stigmaNational sampleLevel of stigmaIndependent of risk groupSuboptimal antiretroviral therapyInitiate antiretroviral therapyPopulation of peopleHIV expertsHIV incidenceHIV physiciansHIV treatmentKey populationsTransgender womenAntiretroviral treatmentFeeling thermometerDrinking alcoholSex workersPhysiciansSex partnersPWHRisk groupsMediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Paudel K, Bhandari P, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Ha T, Banik S, Shrestha R. Mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0296097. PMID: 38166131, PMCID: PMC10760890, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDepressive symptomsHigher ageCross-sectional studyHealth-related confoundersResource-limited countriesCondom-less sexMental health concernsRespondent-driven samplingPrEP uptakeFood insecurityDearth of evidenceUnadjusted modelsAdjusted modelSymptomsHealth concernMSMOutcome variablesConfidence intervalsMenMonthly incomeSexAssociationStigmaAgePrevious studies
2022
Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey
Maviglia F, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Copenhaver N, Kennedy O, Kern M, Khati A, Lim S, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 20: 294. PMID: 36612617, PMCID: PMC9819808, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010294.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug useMalaysian MSMDrug useGamma hydroxybutyrateGreater HIV risk behaviorsHIV-positive sexual partnerPre-exposure prophylaxis knowledgeRecent injection drug usePre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk factorsHIV-positive partnerMultivariable logistic regressionSevere depressive symptomsRecent STI diagnosisHIV risk behaviorsTransactional sexCross-sectional studyMental health servicesMultiple sex partnersDrug-related behaviorsChemsex engagementRecent sexual intercourseSTI diagnosisMultivariable analysisAssociated FactorsExploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Eger WH, Adaralegbe A, Khati A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA, Osborne S, Shrestha R. Exploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2022, 33: 821-828. PMID: 35772943, PMCID: PMC10069270, DOI: 10.1177/09564624221106535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV prevention strategiesMultivariable logistic modelHigh-risk behaviorsMalaysian MSMPrEP uptakeMultivariable analysisHIV epidemicHealthcare engagementPrevention strategiesHealth systemSexual intercourseRM 3000PrEPProphylaxisSexual behaviorHIVMenMonthly incomeMSMMonthsHigh awarenessSexLogistic modelRace, Trust, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in People with Opioid Use Disorder
Sullivan MC, Mistler C, Copenhaver MM, Wickersham JA, Ni Z, Kim RS, Shrestha R. Race, Trust, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in People with Opioid Use Disorder. Health Psychology 2022, 41: 115-120. PMID: 34855415, PMCID: PMC9754617, DOI: 10.1037/hea0001120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderMethadone maintenance programEffective vaccineVaccine hesitancyUse disordersCOVID-19 vaccine hesitancyInjection drug useEffective COVID-19 vaccineCoronavirus disease 2019COVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19Sexual risk behaviorsSocial risk factorsVaccine uptakeRisk factorsVaccination willingnessRisk groupsDisease 2019Psychosocial factorsDrug useProactive outreachPhysician ScaleRisk behaviorsHealth disparitiesVaccineClinical and Demographic Differences in the Willingness to use Self-Administered At-Home COVID-19 Testing Measures among Persons with Opioid use Disorder
Mistler CB, Sullivan M, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, Shrestha R. Clinical and Demographic Differences in the Willingness to use Self-Administered At-Home COVID-19 Testing Measures among Persons with Opioid use Disorder. Substance Use & Addiction Journal 2022, 43: 708-712. PMID: 35100084, PMCID: PMC9725184, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2021.2007511.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderCOVID-19 testPrick testUse disordersCOVID-19Older aged participantsTesting measuresSaliva-based testThroat swab samplesCOVID-19 transmissionGreater proportionGreater riskSwab samplesAdverse effectsAged participantsTesting optionsDisadvantaged populationsRacial-ethnic minoritiesWhite participantsDemographic differencesDisordersHome ordersGreater rateTreatmentParticipants
2021
HIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ranjit YS, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA. HIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AIDS Care 2021, 35: 784-790. PMID: 34723714, PMCID: PMC9056582, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1995839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHIV care continuumAntiretroviral treatmentSex workersCare continuumWomen sex workersTransgender womenImportant key populationProportion of womenRespondent-driven sampling studyEvidence-based strategiesAntiretroviral therapyHIV careHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicHIVKey populationsWomenKuala LumpurCisgender womenCount testUnique needsSmall proportionTherapyPopulationThe 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 managersCorrelates of newly diagnosed HIV infection among cisgender women sex workers and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wang M, Lim SH, Gibson BA, Azwa I, Guadamuz TE, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Correlates of newly diagnosed HIV infection among cisgender women sex workers and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2021, 32: 609-619. PMID: 33752518, DOI: 10.1177/0956462420970417.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionCisgender women sex workersWomen sex workersSex workersTransgender women sex workersMultivariable logistic regressionCondomless vaginal sexDetection of HIVUnique vulnerabilitiesHIV/Infection screeningHIVVaginal sexInfectionLogistic regressionEcstasy/MDMALower likelihoodLifetime useMost participantsKuala LumpurUnderstudied populationCorrelatesSex workers' experiencesPopulationChlamydiaWillingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment
Ni Z, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, DiDomizio EE, Nelson LE, Shrestha R. Willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 219: 108477. PMID: 33422864, PMCID: PMC7946167, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV riskHealthcare providersSex-related risk behaviorsMultivariable logistic regression analysisAwareness of PrEPUrban methadone clinicMultiple logistic regressionDisproportionate HIV burdenLogistic regression analysisCross-sectional surveyHIV burdenHIV infectionHIV testingIndependent correlatesMethadone clinicsDrug treatmentRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPrEPPrevious useHigher likelihoodProphylaxis
2020
Engagement in Harm Reduction Strategies After Suspected Fentanyl Contamination Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals
Mistler CB, Chandra DK, Copenhaver MM, Wickersham JA, Shrestha R. Engagement in Harm Reduction Strategies After Suspected Fentanyl Contamination Among Opioid-Dependent Individuals. Journal Of Community Health 2020, 46: 349-357. PMID: 32997253, PMCID: PMC7920905, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-020-00928-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFentanyl contaminationHarm reduction strategiesOpioid-dependent PWIDHigh-risk populationOpioid-dependent individualsHarm reduction behaviorsMethadone maintenance programHarm reduction methodsOpioid-related overdosesOverdose death ratesCross-sectional surveyDrug use behaviorsHarm reduction measuresPWID engagementMultivariable analysisFentanyl exposureOpioid epidemicOverdose ratesSynthetic opioidsDeath ratePolysubstance usersIntervention strategiesDrugsEvidence-based understandingEpidemicAwareness 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
Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Wickersham JA, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 477-483. PMID: 30874476, PMCID: PMC6306649, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0186.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive transgender womenViral suppressionTransgender womenUse disordersViral suppression ratesHIV viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionAdverse health outcomesSubstance use disordersAlcohol use disorderSevere drug useUse of drugsHIV statusSubstance disordersHigh burdenHigh prevalenceCondomless sexPsychiatric disordersAnal sexFactors AssociatedHealth outcomesDrug useHIV researchLogistic regressionLast partnerEvaluating 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 studyParticipantsStigmaCorrelates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rutledge R, Morozova O, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Correlates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 484-493. PMID: 30481120, PMCID: PMC6306652, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary care providersRecent HIV testingHIV testingTransgender womenLogistic regressionHIV/AIDS StrategyCorrelates of HIVPrevious depression diagnosisJoint United Nations ProgrammeHIV testing historyBehavioral risk factorsMultivariate logistic regressionYears of ageMental health functioningBivariate logistic regressionUnited Nations ProgrammeHIV statusHIV treatmentRisk factorsHIV epidemicDepression diagnosisAIDS StrategyAmphetamine useCare providersPrevention servicesCorrelates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Wickersham JA, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Correlates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru. AIDS Care 2018, 30: 1341-1350. PMID: 29843518, PMCID: PMC8236114, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1476657.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
Factors Associated with Medical Doctors' Intentions to Discriminate Against Transgender Patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Vijay A, Earnshaw VA, Tee YC, Pillai V, Hughto J, Clark K, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL, Wickersham JA. Factors Associated with Medical Doctors' Intentions to Discriminate Against Transgender Patients in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. LGBT Health 2017, 5: 61-68. PMID: 29227183, PMCID: PMC5770086, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0092.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDiscrimination intentTransgender patientsSociodemographic characteristicsMedical doctors' knowledgeStigma-related constructsUniversity Medical CenterPoor health outcomesMajor university medical centerDevelopment of interventionsMedical CenterTransgender peopleHealth outcomesDoctors' knowledgeDoctors' intentionsHealth disparitiesBetter careIndependent covariatesTransgender stigmaHealthcare settingsKuala LumpurPatientsMedical doctorsPersonal shameDoctorsFrequent targetPrevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Gibson BA, Bazazi AR, Pillai V, Pedersen CJ, Meyer JP, El-Bassel N, Mayer KH, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2017, 44: 663-670. PMID: 28708696, PMCID: PMC5636657, DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000662.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHuman immunodeficiency virusInconsistent condom useCisgender women sex workersHIV prevalenceImmunodeficiency virusSex workersWomen sex workersDrug useCondom useHigh human immunodeficiency virusGlobal HIV prevalenceLast HIV testLifetime HIV testingPooled HIV prevalenceRespondent-driven samplingSTI prevalenceHIV testHIV burdenHIV testingMedian timeSTI preventionΧ testChlamydia trachomatisIndependent sample t-testEvaluation of a hepatitis C education intervention with clients enrolled in methadone maintenance and needle/syringe programs in Malaysia
Mukherjee TI, Pillai V, Ali SH, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Evaluation of a hepatitis C education intervention with clients enrolled in methadone maintenance and needle/syringe programs in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 47: 144-152. PMID: 28652072, PMCID: PMC5592150, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle/syringe programsHCV knowledgeHarm reduction servicesTreatment interestEducation interventionSyringe programsEducation sessionsReduction servicesEffective public health approachHepatitis B vaccineMethadone maintenance treatmentOverall knowledge scorePublic health approachResource-limited settingsHCV treatmentHepatitis CB vaccineHIV testBaseline knowledge assessmentMaintenance treatmentPost-intervention knowledge assessmentMethadone maintenanceMMT clientsKnowledge scoreNSP servicesDesign 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