Roman Shrestha, PhD, MPH
Cards
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
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
Prevalence 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 explorationPreferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study
Gautam K, Aguilar C, Paudel K, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Acharya B, Sapkota S, Deuba K, Shrestha R. Preferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e56002. PMID: 38551632, PMCID: PMC11015371, DOI: 10.2196/56002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHigher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia
Ahmad A, Bromberg D, Shrestha R, Salleh N, Bazazi A, Kamarulzaman A, Shenoi S, Altice F. Higher methadone dose at time of release from prison predicts linkage to maintenance treatment for people with HIV and opioid use disorder transitioning to the community in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2024, 126: 104369. PMID: 38484531, PMCID: PMC11056294, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104369.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethadone maintenance treatmentNational Institute of Drug AbuseMethadone dosePost-releaseOpioid dependenceMaintenance treatmentMethadone maintenance treatment doseHigher doses of methadoneProspective trialsHighest methadone dosagePost-release outcomesHigher methadone dosesMalaysia’s largest prison.Levels of depressionTreatment of opioid use disorderMonths of releaseDose of methadoneOpioid use disorderLargest prisonHigher dosageIncarcerated peopleIncarceration periodUse disorderMethadone dosageTime-to-event analysisDigital health interventions for suicide prevention among LGBTQ: A narrative review
Paudel K, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Shah S, Wickersham J, Acharya B, Sapkota S, Adhikari S, Baral P, Shrestha A, Shrestha R. Digital health interventions for suicide prevention among LGBTQ: A narrative review. Health Prospect 2024, 23: 1-10. PMID: 38645301, PMCID: PMC11027749, DOI: 10.3126/hprospect.v23i1.62795.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchDigital health interventionsMcGill Mixed Methods Appraisal ToolRandomized controlled trialsDigital interventionsHealth interventionsSuicide preventionHealth servicesQualitative studyMixed Methods Appraisal ToolIncrease help-seeking behaviorImpact of digital interventionsConventional health servicesMethods Appraisal ToolHelp-seeking intentionsObtaining such servicesPre-posttest designHelp-seeking behaviorSuicidal thoughtsMiddle-income countriesDigital-based interventionsProportion of participantsPowered randomized controlled trialsNon-overlapping studiesLGBTQ communityPerceived stigmaIncreased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors
Thapa S, Ogunleye T, Shrestha R, Joshi R, Hannes K. Increased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors. Journal Of Homosexuality 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-27. PMID: 38456684, DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2320237.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenHIV testing servicesStructural barriersSub-Saharan AfricaSub-SaharanSub-Saharan African countriesSame-sex relationshipsHIV testingTesting servicesFear of discriminationAnalyzing socializationPhysical violenceSex relationshipsHIV testing uptakeLack of trustAfrican countriesQualitative evidence synthesisPoor accessIncreased stigmaRisky behaviorsCriminalsQualitative studyMSMTesting uptakeNon-disclosureExamining HIV Knowledge and Sexually Risky Behaviors among Female Sex Workers in Kampala, Uganda
Ssenyonjo J, Mistler C, Adler T, Shrestha R, Kyambadde P, Copenhaver M. Examining HIV Knowledge and Sexually Risky Behaviors among Female Sex Workers in Kampala, Uganda. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2024, 21: 163. PMID: 38397654, PMCID: PMC10888220, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020163.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFemale sex workersHealthcare providersHIV testingHIV preventionHistory of HIV testingRates of sexually transmitted infectionsCondom usageSex workersProvider-level barriersDevelopment of targeted interventionsPrimary HIV preventionHIV test resultsHealth education programsHIV transmission riskHIV prevention educationSexually transmitted infectionsHIV knowledgeHIV incidencePreventive interventionsFocus groupsTargeted interventionsReduce alcohol intakeHIV transmissionPrevention educationAlcohol intakeHigh Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal
Gautam K, Paudel K, Ahmed A, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Poudel K, Pagoto S, Acharya B, Deuba K, Valente P, Shrestha R. High Interest in the Use of mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Nepal. Journal Of Community Health 2024, 1-13. PMID: 38281283, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-024-01324-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesHIV preventionPreventive servicesAccess HIV prevention servicesModerate to severe depressive symptomsRespondent-driven sampling surveyRisk of HIV acquisitionHIV prevention effortsSevere depressive symptomsHealth care workersMultivariate linear regression analysisMHealth interventionsHIV risk-related behaviorsMHealth strategiesMobile healthMHealth platformParticipant characteristicsMSM populationUtilization of communication technologiesMHealthRisk-related behaviorsDepressive symptomsCare workersMedian scoreMonthly incomeTesting the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study.
Cheah M, Gan Y, Altice F, Wickersham J, Shrestha R, Salleh N, Ng K, Azwa I, Balakrishnan V, Kamarulzaman A, Ni Z. Testing the Feasibility and Acceptability of Using an Artificial Intelligence Chatbot to Promote HIV Testing and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e52055. PMID: 38277206, PMCID: PMC10858413, DOI: 10.2196/52055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUptake of HIV testingHIV testingPre-exposure prophylaxisUnified Theory of AcceptanceFrequency of HIV testingTheory of AcceptanceAI chatbotsPromote HIV testingMental health supportHIV risk assessmentHIV prevention effortsHIV-related informationMixed methods studyPresence of stigmaUse of TechnologyConsequences of HIVEffort expectancySexually transmitted infectionsWeb-based surveyEngaging MSMArtificial intelligenceTranscribed verbatimPrEP uptakeHealth supportMental healthMediating 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
Clinical Trials
Current Trials
EPIC-P Intervention
HIC ID2000026228RolePrincipal InvestigatorPrimary Completion Date03/15/2023Recruiting ParticipantsGenderBothAge18+ years