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
Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia
Pedersen CJ, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Khoshnood K, Gibson BA, Khati A, Maviglia F, Shrestha R. Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2022, 13: 879479. PMID: 35774093, PMCID: PMC9237260, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.879479.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersATS useSubstance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulantsUse disordersSevere substance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulant useSex workersAdverse health outcomesLogistic regression analysisAdverse health consequencesSexual risk behaviorsBehavioral health issuesUse of drugsHarm reduction strategiesSex work clientsRespondent-driven samplingHIV transmissionMultivariable modelHigh prevalenceHealth outcomesDrug useSex workTransgender womenRisk behaviors
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 proportionTherapyPopulation
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 participantsPreventionWillingness 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
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 partnerGender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community
Gibson B, Brown S, Rutledge R, Wickersham J, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community. 2018, 192-207. DOI: 10.4324/9781315151120-14.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSex 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 servicesCorrelates 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
2016
Gender 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
Validation of the ‘drinking expectancy questionnaire for men who have sex with men’ in Peru
Vagenas P, Wickersham JA, Calabrese SK, Lama JR, Benites CM, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Validation of the ‘drinking expectancy questionnaire for men who have sex with men’ in Peru. Drug And Alcohol Review 2015, 34: 559-566. PMID: 26120824, PMCID: PMC4795987, DOI: 10.1111/dar.12282.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenRisky sexual behaviorIntervention targetsHigh-risk MSMSexual behaviorAlcohol use disorderHigh-risk behaviorsSpanish versionPotential intervention targetsPeruvian MSMHIV epidemicGeneral populationUse disordersClinical practiceMSMShort instrumentTwo-factor structureFurther screeningProblematic drinkingExpectancyMenExploratory factor analysisExpectancy QuestionnairePopulationLarge population