2023
Aligning public health and public safety: Probation as a touchpoint to identify and link patients with opioid use disorder to opioid agonist treatment
Bromberg D, Galvez de Leon S, Litz T, Azbel L, Liberman A, Polonsky M, Dvoriak S, Saichuk N, Taxman F, Altice F. Aligning public health and public safety: Probation as a touchpoint to identify and link patients with opioid use disorder to opioid agonist treatment. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002349. PMID: 37910486, PMCID: PMC10619786, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002349.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCriminal justice settingsOpioid use disorderBrief interventionUse disordersPrevalence of OUDProbation centersHIV prevention effortsJustice settingsMental healthHigh rateCommunity supervision settingsOAT servicesSBIRT interventionAgonist therapyHIV testingOpioid dependenceAgonist treatmentConsecutive individualsTreatment strategiesGeneral populationProbationSBIRTPrevention effortsSupervision settingParticipants
2022
Willingness to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Among People With HIV in the United States: Results From a National Survey
Wickersham JA, Meyer JP, Shenoi S, Altice FL, Barakat LA, Virata M, Olivares M, Maviglia F, Khati A, Shrestha R. Willingness to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Among People With HIV in the United States: Results From a National Survey. Frontiers In Medicine 2022, 9: 886936. PMID: 35847816, PMCID: PMC9280331, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.886936.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCOVID-19 infectionCOVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19Undetectable HIV viral loadCOVID-19 vaccination uptakeAnnual influenza vaccinationHIV viral loadVaccine-related concernsNational surveyHIV careInfluenza vaccinationVaccination uptakeViral loadVaccination programSevere diseasePWHVaccineHIVInfectionIntensive outreach effortsTotal populationUnited StatesParticipantsAnnual incomeVast majorityA 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
Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among People Who Inject Drugs: Exploratory Findings of the Interaction Between Race, Homelessness, and Trust
Zhou X, Altice FL, Chandra D, Didomizio E, Copenhaver MM, Shrestha R. Use of Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among People Who Inject Drugs: Exploratory Findings of the Interaction Between Race, Homelessness, and Trust. AIDS And Behavior 2021, 25: 3743-3753. PMID: 33751313, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-021-03227-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useProvider trustPatient-level factorsOpioid-dependent patientsLogistic regression analysisNon-homeless participantsHomeless participantsRace/ethnicityEligibility criteriaCross-sectional dataPrEPProphylaxisMethadoneRegression analysisDrugsExploratory findingsParticipantsPotential moderatorsPWIDPatientsSignificant moderator
2020
Willingness to Use HIV Self-Testing and Associated Factors Among Transgender Women in Malaysia
Shrestha R, Galka JM, Azwa I, Lim SH, Guadamuz TE, Altice FL, Wickersham JA. Willingness to Use HIV Self-Testing and Associated Factors Among Transgender Women in Malaysia. Transgender Health 2020, 5: 182-190. PMID: 32923668, PMCID: PMC7480722, DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2019.0085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenSex work clientsKey populationsMultivariable logistic regressionImplementation of HIVHIV Self-TestingCurrent depressive symptomsCross-sectional surveyCorrelates of willingnessHIV screeningHIV infectionMultivariable analysisAssociated FactorsDirect referralCondomless sexHigh riskDepressive symptomsHIVSTLogistic regressionCommunity-based organizationsWomenAdditional researchStaff membersParticipantsSelf-Testing
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 studyParticipantsStigmaExtended-release Naltrexone Improves Viral Suppression Among Incarcerated Persons Living with HIV and Alcohol use Disorders Transitioning to the Community
Springer SA, Di Paola A, Barbour R, Azar MM, Altice FL. Extended-release Naltrexone Improves Viral Suppression Among Incarcerated Persons Living with HIV and Alcohol use Disorders Transitioning to the Community. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2018, 79: 92-100. PMID: 29781884, PMCID: PMC6092223, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001759.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderViral suppressionExtended-release naltrexoneXR-NTXPlacebo groupPlacebo-controlled trialMonthly injectionsSecondary outcomesTreat analysisIncarcerated individualsEligible participantsWhite raceUse disordersAlcohol consumptionHIVMonthsNaltrexoneBaselineDisordersInjectionIncarcerated peopleParticipantsPlaceboGroupSuppressionAssessment 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 severityParticipants
2016
Attitudes 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 Influence of Medication Attitudes on Utilization of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Indonesian Prisons
Culbert GJ, Bazazi AR, Waluyo A, Murni A, Muchransyah AP, Iriyanti M, Finnahari, Polonsky M, Levy J, Altice FL. The Influence of Medication Attitudes on Utilization of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Indonesian Prisons. AIDS And Behavior 2015, 20: 1026-1038. PMID: 26400080, PMCID: PMC4805506, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1198-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyART utilizationIndonesian prisonersMedication attitudesIndonesian prisonsHalf of participantsHIV medicationsHIV stigmaART efficacyMultivariate analysisEligibility guidelinesHIVAdverse effectsMixed-method studyTherapyART attitudesMale prisonersParticipantsMedicationsSocial marketingStructured surveyNegative attitudes“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
2013
High rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. High rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 133: 154-160. PMID: 23769160, PMCID: PMC3786010, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyAntiretroviral therapyHIV transmissionHIV epidemicHigh-risk injection practicesSignificant independent correlatesMedication interruptionOST treatmentART prescriptionAdverse eventsSubstitution therapyIndependent correlatesWithdrawal symptomsMale genderEssential medicationsInjection practicesHealth outcomesLogistic regressionHIVPublic healthTherapyHigh rateHealthCorrelatesParticipantsBeing Unaware of Being HIV-Infected is Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Peru
Vagenas P, Ludford KT, Gonzales P, Peinado J, Cabezas C, Gonzales F, Lama JR, Sanchez J, Altice FL, for the Peruvian HIV Sentinel Surveillance Working Group. Being Unaware of Being HIV-Infected is Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Peru. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 120-127. PMID: 23670711, PMCID: PMC3796203, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0504-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderHigh-risk sexual behaviorHIV infectionUse disordersMultivariate logistic regressionUnprotected anal intercourseSexual behaviorHIV-InfectedHIV statusSyphilis testingHIV riskAnal intercourseTherapy interventionHIVLogistic regressionMenLast encounterSexInfectionDisordersParticipantsRisk assessmentMSMPeruvian citiesMonthsAlcohol use disorders and antiretroviral therapy among prisoners in Argentina
Alpert M, Wickersham JA, Vázquez M, Altice FL. Alcohol use disorders and antiretroviral therapy among prisoners in Argentina. International Journal Of Prison Health 2013, 9: 40-50. PMID: 24772187, PMCID: PMC3999974, DOI: 10.1108/17449201311310797.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyUse disordersSecondary HIV preventionCent of subjectsCross-sectional surveyHIV careSubstance abuse patternsMajority of participantsIndependent correlatesHIV preventionTreatment outcomesGeneral populationHIVHealth care reformAbuse patternsAUDIT scaleCurrent incarcerationDisordersTherapyOne-thirdCare reformOne-quarterParticipantsFuture effortsMethadone 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 release
2011
Medication Persistence of HIV-infected Drug Users on Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy
Ing EC, Bae JW, Maru DS, Altice FL. Medication Persistence of HIV-infected Drug Users on Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS And Behavior 2011, 17: 113-121. PMID: 22105340, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0082-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnti-HIV AgentsAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveBehavior, AddictiveCD4 Lymphocyte CountConnecticutDirectly Observed TherapyDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInterviews as TopicKaplan-Meier EstimateMaleMedication AdherenceProportional Hazards ModelsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRNA, ViralSeverity of Illness IndexSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTreatment OutcomeViral LoadConceptsDrug usersAntiretroviral therapyPatterns of medicationInjection drug useMedication-taking behaviorHigher depressive symptomsVirological outcomesMedication persistenceRegimen changeMore episodesDepressive symptomsHigher addiction severityDrug useSignificant associationConsecutive daysHIVAddiction severityMedicationsMEMS dataTherapyDaysEpisodesParticipantsRegimensDAART
2007
Initiation, Adherence, and Retention in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy
Maru DS, Bruce RD, Walton M, Mezger JA, Springer SA, Shield D, Altice FL. Initiation, Adherence, and Retention in a Randomized Controlled Trial of Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS And Behavior 2007, 12: 284-293. PMID: 18085432, PMCID: PMC2693908, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-007-9336-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSelf-administered therapyAntiretroviral therapyDrug usersComposite adherence scorePresence of depressionDrug treatment programsControlled TrialsSix-month periodAdherence scoreOwn medicationsHealth outcomesDAARTMajor causeTherapyAdherenceDiscontinuationHIVSuccessful program designTrialsParticipantsHospitalizationMedicationsLack of willingnessVisits