Roman Shrestha, PhD, MPH
Assistant Professor AdjunctCards
About
Titles
Assistant Professor Adjunct
Biography
Dr. Shrestha is an Assistant Professor Adjunct at the Yale School of Medicine’s AIDS program. He is the Principal Investigator on the National Institute of Health funded K01 (NIDA: K01DA051346), R21 (NIDA: R21DA051934), and R21/R33 (FIC: R21TW011665) awards. His research has largely centered on enhancing the design, delivery, and placement of interventions that integrates evidence-based behavioral approach, biomedical components, and innovative use of mHealth strategies, aimed at improving health outcomes and the quality of life of underserved populations. Specifically, he is interested in syndemics of health issues that have profound implications for access to and utilization of healthcare services and overall HIV prevention efforts in a range of settings, including community and healthcare, addiction treatment, and criminal justice settings, both domestically and internationally. His current work focuses on reducing the HIV epidemic that disproportionately affects socioeconomically disadvantaged (i.e., drug users) and sexual minority group (i.e., men who have sex with men) using mHealth technologies as an innovative platform to scale-up prevention efforts.
Appointments
Infectious Diseases
Assistant Professor AdjunctPrimary
Other Departments & Organizations
- Clinical & Community Research (YCCR)
- Infectious Diseases
- Internal Medicine
- mHealth Research and Innovation Lab
Education & Training
- Postdoctoral Research Associate
- University of Connecticut (2019)
- PhD
- University of Connecticut, Public Health (2017)
- MPH
- University of Connecticut, Public Health (2013)
Research
Publications
2024
Integrated Online-to-Offline Model of Care for HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial.
Khati A, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Paudel K, Phiphatkhunarnon P, Lim S, Puniamurthy K, Altice F, Phanuphak N, Azwa I, Shrestha R. Integrated Online-to-Offline Model of Care for HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e60962. PMID: 39441624, DOI: 10.2196/60962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransactional sex and its associated factors among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nepal
Sujan M, Paudel K, Gautam K, Khati A, Wickersham J, Dhakal M, Ha T, Shrestha R. Transactional sex and its associated factors among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men in Nepal. Sexual Health 2024, 21 PMID: 39388431, DOI: 10.1071/sh24178.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransactional sexPrevalence of transactional sexFactors associated with transactional sexExchange of sexReduce transactional sexPolice detentionMental health challengesEconomic vulnerabilityTransgender womenFinancial dependenceGBMSMCondomless sexSubstance useAssociated with adverse health outcomesNepalParticipants' sociodemographic characteristics,Cross-sectional surveyMultivariate logistic regression analysisAdverse health outcomesAge of participantsHealth outcomesSexually transmitted infectionsHigh-risk groupSociodemographic characteristicsLogistic regression analysisAssociation of sleep quality, smartphone addiction, and depressive symptoms among undergraduate medical students in Nepal
Paudel K, Shah S, Khanal P, Bhattarai M, Gautam K, Bhusal S, Bhandari P, Pandey A, Niroula S, Adhikari T, Shrestha R. Association of sleep quality, smartphone addiction, and depressive symptoms among undergraduate medical students in Nepal. Discover Psychology 2024, 4: 125. DOI: 10.1007/s44202-024-00246-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchUndergraduate medical studentsMaharajgunj Medical CampusDepressive symptomsSleep qualityMedical studentsMedical CampusPatient Health Questionnaire-9Association of sleep qualityMethodsA cross-sectional studyPittsburgh Sleep Quality IndexCross-sectional studySleep Quality IndexIBM SPSS versionSmartphone addictionImpact of sleep qualityMental healthUnadjusted modelsSmartphone Addiction Scale-Short VersionSocio-demographicSPSS versionShort versionLongitudinal studyConclusionThis studyTherapeutic approachesQuality IndexAdaptation of a Theory-Based Mobile App to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Services for Transgender Women in Malaysia: Focus Group Study
Gautam K, Shrestha R, Dlamini S, Razali B, Paudel K, Azwa I, Saifi R, Toh Y, Lim H, Sutherland R, Restar A, Phanuphak N, Wickersham J. Adaptation of a Theory-Based Mobile App to Improve Access to HIV Prevention Services for Transgender Women in Malaysia: Focus Group Study. JMIR Formative Research 2024, 8: e56250. PMID: 39137407, PMCID: PMC11350319, DOI: 10.2196/56250.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesTransgender womenFocus groupsPrEP uptakePreventive servicesCare servicesHIV preventionFG sessionsBarriers to PrEP uptakeUptake of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxisHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisTailored HIV preventionMobile appsReduce HIV vulnerabilityPre-exposure prophylaxisFocus group studyPrEP knowledgeTheater testingDedoose softwareMobile healthMultifaceted barriersDeliver interventionsHIV vulnerabilityPrEP barriersWomen's needsHealth literacy and its determinants among school-going children: a school-based cross-sectional study in Nepal
Adhikari P, Paudel K, Bhusal S, Gautam K, Khanal P, Adhikari T, K C P, Shrestha R, Shrestha S. Health literacy and its determinants among school-going children: a school-based cross-sectional study in Nepal. Health Promotion International 2024, 39: daae059. PMID: 39115185, DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daae059.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLevel of health literacyPre-existing mental health conditionsLimited health literacyHealth literacyMental health conditionsSchool-going childrenCross-sectional studyFactors associated with limited health literacyHealth Literacy for School-Aged ChildrenLow levels of health literacyPeer support group programHealth conditionsLiteracy levelsModerate health literacyHealth literacy levelsSchool health promotionSchool-based cross-sectional studyImprove health literacyMulti-stage cluster sampling methodSupport group programPoor quality of lifeSchool health professionalsLower educational attainmentAdverse health outcomesSchool-aged ChildrenFACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANT USE AMONG MALAYSIAN TRANSGENDER WOMEN
JadKarim L, Shrestha R, Galka J, Azwa I, Razali N, Restar A, Gautam K, Wickersham J. FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ACTIVE AMPHETAMINE-TYPE STIMULANT USE AMONG MALAYSIAN TRANSGENDER WOMEN. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110037. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIMPACT OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG PERSONS ON MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER
Mistler C, Copenhaver M, Shrestha R, Gunstad J. IMPACT OF IMPAIRED COGNITIVE FUNCTIONING AMONG PERSONS ON MEDICATION FOR OPIOID USE DISORDER. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110039. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110039.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchT73 Application of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to Optimize HIV Prevention Targeting People on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) who Have Cognitive Dysfunction: A Study Protocol
Copenhaver M, Mistler C, Shrestha R. T73 Application of the Multiphase Optimization Strategy (MOST) to Optimize HIV Prevention Targeting People on Medication for Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) who Have Cognitive Dysfunction: A Study Protocol. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 260: 110522. DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.110522.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrevalence of common risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases among sexual and gender minorities in Kathmandu valley, Nepal
Poudel B, Paudel K, Adhikari B, Paudel R, Bhusal S, Adhikari N, Adhikari T, Sapkota V, Shrestha R. Prevalence of common risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases among sexual and gender minorities in Kathmandu valley, Nepal. Medicine 2024, 103: e37746. PMID: 38579035, PMCID: PMC10994461, DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000037746.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNCD risk factorsPrevalence of NCD risk factorsNoncommunicable diseasesRisk factorsAlcohol consumptionSTEP wise approachTargeted health interventionsFace-to-face interviewsCross-sectional studyGender minoritiesInsufficient fruitStatistical Package for Social SciencesVegetable consumptionChronic respiratory diseasesSnowball sampling methodHealth interventionsCurrent smokingFace-to-faceAnthropometric measurementsMarital statusEmployment statusParticipant ageStructured questionnaireWise approachGlobal deathsExploring Attitudes Toward Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Prior to Implementation Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia: Results from a Qualitative Study
Foley S, Keene D, Shrestha R, Brown S, Gautam K, Sutherland R, Maviglia F, Saifi R, Wickersham J. Exploring Attitudes Toward Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention Prior to Implementation Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia: Results from a Qualitative Study. Patient Preference And Adherence 2024, 18: 797-807. PMID: 38595805, PMCID: PMC11003429, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s413423.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV preventionFSWs’ willingnessMethod of HIV preventionSex workersAcceptability of PrEPHIV prevention practicesPrevention of HIV transmissionGrounded theory approachSemi-structured interviewsCondom promotionPrEP usePrEP rolloutPrevention practicesTranslated interviewsEmpowerment componentsQualitative studyHarm reductionHIV transmissionOral PrEPPerceived challengesPrEPCondom useQualitative exploration
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
EPIC-P Intervention
HIC ID2000026228RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/15/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years