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 groups
2022
Clinical 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAgedCOVID-19COVID-19 TestingEthnicityFemaleHumansMiddle AgedOpioid-Related DisordersSARS-CoV-2ConceptsOpioid 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
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
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 studyParticipantsStigmaCorrelates 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedPeruTransgender PersonsViral Load
2017
Prevalence 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-testWillingness 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
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 correlateAttitudes 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 ResearchIntersecting 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 mortalityHIVFactors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia
Mukherjee TI, Wickersham JA, Desai MM, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Factors associated with interest in receiving prison-based methadone maintenance therapy in Malaysia. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2016, 164: 120-127. PMID: 27207155, PMCID: PMC5592792, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.04.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceDaily heroin useOpioid use disorderLogistic regression analysisMMT initiationDrug use consequencesIndependent correlatesModifiable factorsHIV preventionHeroin useUse disordersParticipant characteristicsMental healthConvenience sampleHIVRegression analysisTherapyStructured questionnaireIncarcerated menMale prisonersUse consequencesLarge proportionPrison populationGender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community
Gibson BA, Brown SE, Rutledge R, Wickersham JA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community. Global Public Health 2016, 11: 1010-1025. PMID: 26824463, PMCID: PMC4983682, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1134614.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisCondomsFemaleGender IdentityHealth Services for Transgender PersonsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansInterviews as TopicIslamMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchReligion and MedicineReligion and SexRisk FactorsRisk Reduction BehaviorSex Reassignment SurgerySex WorkersSocial DiscriminationTransgender PersonsVulnerable PopulationsConceptsSex workTransgender womenSex workersFemale transgender sex workersTransgender sex workersMultiple healthcare needsSemi-structured interviewsGender identityFear of HIVGender transitionQualitative studyThematic codingReligious lawSensitive preventionHazardous health behaviourHealthcare utilisation patternsIdentityHealthcare accessMultiple health risksPoor health outcomesLevel of stigmaHealth risksHealthcare needsInterviewsHealthcare services
2015
Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Loeliger KB, Marcus R, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2015, 42: 98-110. PMID: 26636885, PMCID: PMC4837957, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1101467.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle-syringe exchange programsDrug injectionCorrelates of lifetimeDrug usePolysubstance useInjection-related risk behaviorsActive injection drug useSelf-reported HIV statusAgonist maintenance therapyLifetime drug injectionOpioid/benzodiazepineSubstance useInjection drug useHarm reduction servicesDrug use historyHarm reduction measuresPrior criminal justice involvementOAT servicesMaintenance therapyOpioid useHIV statusHIV transmissionRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementHIV riskValidation 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' attitudesAn exploratory qualitative assessment of self-reported treatment outcomes and satisfaction among patients accessing an innovative voluntary drug treatment centre in Malaysia
Ghani MA, Brown SE, Khan F, Wickersham JA, Lim SH, Dhaliwal SK, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. An exploratory qualitative assessment of self-reported treatment outcomes and satisfaction among patients accessing an innovative voluntary drug treatment centre in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 26: 175-182. PMID: 25577322, PMCID: PMC4291539, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.10.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompulsory drug detention centersVoluntary drug treatment centresDrug treatment centersTreatment centersTreatment-based approachExploratory qualitative assessmentDrug treatment programsPositive patient experienceSelf-reported treatment outcomesAcute detoxificationAddiction needsMethadone treatmentCare centerTreatment successTreatment outcomesPatient's perspectivePatient experienceDrug usersHealthcare accessExplorative qualitative studyTreatment programPatientsAddiction rehabilitationConvenience samplePsychosocial programsGender disparities in HIV treatment outcomes following release from jail: results from a multicenter study.
Meyer JP, Zelenev A, Wickersham JA, Williams CT, Teixeira PA, Altice FL. Gender disparities in HIV treatment outcomes following release from jail: results from a multicenter study. American Journal Of Public Health 2014, 104: 434-41. PMID: 24432878, PMCID: PMC3953795, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301553.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV treatment outcomesTreatment outcomesViral suppressionJail detaineesMultisite prospective cohort studyOptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherenceOptimal HIV treatment outcomesWorse HIV treatment outcomesMultiple logistic regression modelAntiretroviral therapy prescriptionHIV primary careHIV clinical careProspective cohort studyAntiretroviral therapy adherenceNon-Hispanic whitesLogistic regression modelsGreater comorbidityCohort studyEvaluable participantsMulticenter studyTherapy adherencePrimary careTherapy prescriptionClinical careHeroin useCorrelates of HIV infection and being unaware of HIV status among soon‐to‐be‐released Ukrainian prisoners
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Correlates of HIV infection and being unaware of HIV status among soon‐to‐be‐released Ukrainian prisoners. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2014, 17: 19005. PMID: 25216073, PMCID: PMC4161962, DOI: 10.7448/ias.17.1.19005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionHIV testingHIV statusHIV epidemicDrug-related HIV risk behaviorsRisk-based HIV testingHIV risk behaviorsAntiretroviral therapyHIV-positiveHIV transmissionOpioid substitutionIndependent correlatesDrug injectionFemale genderHealth SurveySerological testingPrevious incarcerationRisk behaviorsDisproportionate burdenHIVInfectionEpidemicUkrainian prisonsCorrelatesStatus
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 Prison 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 homelessness