2019
Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study
Tan J, Altice FL, Madden LM, Zelenev A. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV 2019, 7: e121-e128. PMID: 31879250, PMCID: PMC7289179, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30373-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNew HIV infectionsHigh HIV burdenHIV infectionMinistry of HealthOAT coverageAgonist therapyHIV burdenHIV incidenceBuprenorphine maintenance therapyPublic Health CenterMaintenance therapyHIV outcomesHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionMedication procurementHIV epidemicHealth centersHIV preventionTreatment goalsPWIDOAT expansionDisease controlSexual riskInfectionGlobal patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action
Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Stone J, Hickman M, Vickerman P, Marshall BDL, Bruneau J, Altice FL, Henderson G, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Larney S. Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action. The Lancet 2019, 394: 1560-1579. PMID: 31657732, PMCID: PMC7068135, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32229-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid useExtramedical opioid useIllicit opioid useRisk Factor StudyHepatitis C virusDrug-related harmRange of interventionsHIV mortalityOverall mortalityAgonist treatmentExtramedical usePatient acceptabilityC virusHigh prevalenceOpioid overdoseHigh-income countriesGlobal burdenOpioidsMultiple healthEffective interventionsInterventionTreatment qualityDrugsHIVEvaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Ranjit YS, Azbel L, Krishnan A, Altice FL, Meyer JP. Evaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. AIDS Care 2019, 31: 793-797. PMID: 30701981, PMCID: PMC6510603, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1573969.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveAzerbaijanCommunicable DiseasesComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansKyrgyzstanMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedPrevalencePrisonersPrisonsSubstance-Related DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesSyphilisUkraineConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyHIV preventionHIV riskHIV care continuumCells/μLHigh-risk groupComorbid substance useEffective HIV preventionGlobal HIV preventionHigh rateHepatitis CIncarcerated womenHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV prevalencePsychiatric comorbidityDrug injectionRepresentative sampleCare continuumRisk groupsPsychiatric disordersMost womenUse disordersTreatment interventions
2018
Estimating HIV and HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 5 Ukrainian cities using stratification-based respondent driven and random sampling
Zelenev A, Shea P, Mazhnaya A, Meteliuk A, Pykalo I, Marcus R, Fomenko T, Prokhorova T, Altice FL. Estimating HIV and HCV prevalence among people who inject drugs in 5 Ukrainian cities using stratification-based respondent driven and random sampling. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2018, 67: 91-101. PMID: 30503695, PMCID: PMC6537868, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2018.09.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHCV prevalenceHIV prevalenceHCV prevalence estimatesHigh HCV prevalencePrevalence of HIVCross-sectional studyLow-resource settingsInverse probability weightsHCV antibodiesHCV infectionTreatment strategiesHIVTreatment prioritiesPrevalence estimatesHealth outcomesBetter preventionPrevalenceLocal epidemicsHCVPWIDOverall sampleSelection biasPreventionProbability weightsRegular basisIncarceration history and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Stone J, Fraser H, Lim AG, Walker JG, Ward Z, MacGregor L, Trickey A, Abbott S, Strathdee SA, Abramovitz D, Maher L, Iversen J, Bruneau J, Zang G, Garfein RS, Yen YF, Azim T, Mehta SH, Milloy MJ, Hellard ME, Sacks-Davis R, Dietze PM, Aitken C, Aladashvili M, Tsertsvadze T, Mravčík V, Alary M, Roy E, Smyrnov P, Sazonova Y, Young AM, Havens JR, Hope VD, Desai M, Heinsbroek E, Hutchinson SJ, Palmateer NE, McAuley A, Platt L, Martin NK, Altice FL, Hickman M, Vickerman P. Incarceration history and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2018, 18: 1397-1409. PMID: 30385157, PMCID: PMC6280039, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30469-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHCV acquisition riskAcquisition riskHCV incidenceModerate heterogeneitySystematic reviewHepatitis C virus acquisitionHepatitis C virus infectionHIV acquisition riskRisk of HCVC virus infectionNewcastle-Ottawa ScaleRisk of biasRisk of HIVNational InstituteCommunity-recruited PWIDOutcomes of interestIncident infectionsCohort studyHIV acquisitionHIV transmissionHigh prevalenceVirus infectionRecent incarcerationExclusion criteriaHigh riskPerceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Rozanova J, Morozova O, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg JM, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Perceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Journal Of Urban Health 2018, 95: 508-522. PMID: 29728898, PMCID: PMC6095752, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0256-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentSubstance use disordersUse disordersMethadone treatmentDrug usersPoor general healthGeneral health conditionPerception of healthAgonist treatmentDrug injectionGeneral healthHigh prevalenceHealth needsHealth-related tasksLogistic regressionMethadoneHealth conditionsPre-release planningDisordersTreatmentPublic healthTotal samplePrison settingDrugsHealthAge-Specific Global Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis Among Incarcerated People: A Systematic Review
Kinner SA, Snow K, Wirtz AL, Altice FL, Beyrer C, Dolan K. Age-Specific Global Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis Among Incarcerated People: A Systematic Review. Journal Of Adolescent Health 2018, 62: s18-s26. PMID: 29455713, PMCID: PMC7413042, DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.09.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis CHepatitis BRelative riskOlder prisonersGlobal prevalencePrevalence estimatesSystematic reviewPrevalence of HIVAge-specific prevalence estimatesAge-specific prevalenceIncidence of infectionActive tuberculosisPooled prevalenceLow prevalenceHIVPrevalenceInfectionYoung adultsTuberculosisAge categoriesIncarcerated populationsAYAsIncarcerated adolescentsIncarcerated peopleCustodial settingsPrevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment Rates of Mood Disorders among Opioid Users under Criminal Justice Supervision
Mbaba M, Brown SE, Wooditch A, Kiss M, Murphy A, Kumari S, Taxman F, Altice F, Lawson WB, Springer SA. Prevalence, Diagnosis, and Treatment Rates of Mood Disorders among Opioid Users under Criminal Justice Supervision. Substance Use & Misuse 2018, 53: 1519-1528. PMID: 29333954, PMCID: PMC6432769, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2017.1416400.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPatient Health Questionnaire-9Mood disordersBipolar disorderOpioid usersAddiction Severity Index-LiteOpioid use treatmentCriminal justice supervisionOpioid-dependent individualsSelf-reported mood disordersOpioid-dependent populationsComprehensive psychiatric careAdverse health consequencesLarger parent studyLifetime suicide attemptsHigh rateQuestionnaire-9Positive screenJustice-involved individualsSevere depressionTreatment utilizationGeneral U.S.Psychiatric careControl trialParent studyPsychiatric disorders
2017
Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study
Zelenev A, Li J, Mazhnaya A, Basu S, Altice FL. Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2017, 18: 215-224. PMID: 29153265, PMCID: PMC5860640, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30676-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntiviral AgentsChemopreventionCitiesComputer SimulationDisease Transmission, InfectiousFemaleHepatitis CHumansMaleMiddle AgedModels, StatisticalPrevalenceSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSurveys and QuestionnairesTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesYoung AdultConceptsBaseline HCV prevalenceHepatitis C virusHCV prevalenceInjection partnersPrevention strategiesTreatment coverageTransmission of HCVHepatitis C virus (HCV) treatmentHCV elimination strategySuccessful HCV treatmentC virus treatmentInjection drug usersHCV treatment coverageAdditional network memberHCV treatmentActing antiviralsC virusChronic infectionVirus treatmentDrug usersPrevalenceDrug abuseDrugsNational InstitutePreventionPrevalence 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-testActive syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Pizzicato LN, Vagenas P, Gonzales P, Lama JR, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. Sexual Health 2017, 14: 304-312. PMID: 28514994, DOI: 10.1071/sh16149.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive syphilis infectionActive syphilisIndependent correlatesSyphilis infectionTransgender womenRisk factorsRecent sexRecent sex workSignificant independent correlatesReceptive anal intercourseFemale partnersRecent drug useSexual risk behaviorsTreatment of syphilisBackground SyphilisTGW populationPresent studySyphilis testingSyphilis screeningTransmissible infectionsSyphilis diagnosisHigh prevalenceStratified analysisSyphilis epidemicAge 35
2016
Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Altice FL, Krishnan A, Copenhaver M. Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 3100-3110. PMID: 28025735, PMCID: PMC5484759, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1637-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdultCell PhoneConnecticutDelivery of Health CareDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInternetMaleMethadoneNeurocognitive DisordersOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CarePrevalenceRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSmartphoneSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTelemedicineText MessagingConceptsSex-related risk behaviorsNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersRisk behaviorsHIV-negative drug usersHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk populationHigh-risk peopleHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthMethadone clinicsHIV preventionHigh prevalenceMedication remindersHealth programsMHealth acceptancePrevention effortsHealth conditionsMHealth technologiesConvenience sampleDrugsStandardized assessmentReal-world acceptanceMobile healthPhone callsHealthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia
Bick J, Culbert G, Al-Darraji HA, Koh C, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2016, 12: 253-269. PMID: 27921633, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHealth needsLatent tuberculosis infectionCo-morbid conditionsBurden of illnessComprehensive health assessmentHepatitis C virusComplex health needsSerious public health threatPublic health threatCD4 monitoringHIV careTuberculosis infectionHIV statusPhysical examinationC virusUntreated syphilisMale prisonersTobacco useHIVDisease comorbiditiesMalaysian adultsStructured historyHealthcare resourcesDrug useFactors associated with physical and sexual violence by police among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: implications for retention on opioid agonist therapy
Kutsa O, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Zelenev A, Mazhnaya A, Dvoriak S, Filippovych S, Altice FL. Factors associated with physical and sexual violence by police among people who inject drugs in Ukraine: implications for retention on opioid agonist therapy. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2016, 19: 20897. PMID: 27435717, PMCID: PMC4951533, DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.20897.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPolice violenceSexual violenceViolence experiencesHIV prevention strategiesCost-effective HIV prevention strategyMore physical violenceOpioid agonist therapyPolice harassmentLaw enforcementPhysical violenceViolencePoliceFrequent harassmentPWID's experiencesEastern EuropeSexual assaultOAT retentionUkrainian citiesOAT clientsCentral AsiaHIV prevalence ratesAgonist therapyFrequent experiencesRespondent-driven samplingHIV preventionGlobal burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees
Dolan K, Wirtz AL, Moazen B, Ndeffo-mbah M, Galvani A, Kinner SA, Courtney R, McKee M, Amon JJ, Maher L, Hellard M, Beyrer C, Altice FL. Global burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1089-1102. PMID: 27427453, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30466-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusViral hepatitisChronic hepatitis B virusBurden of HIVOpioid agonist therapyPrevalence of HIVTreatment of HIVIncarceration of peopleComprehensive literature searchAgonist therapyActive tuberculosisHIV transmissionC virusB virusGlobal burdenPrevention interventionsGeneral populationGlobal epidemiologyHIVDrug useTuberculosisLiterature searchLarge-scale outbreaksHepatitisIntersecting 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 mortalityHIV
2015
The syndemic of HIV, HIV-related risk and multiple co-morbidities among women who use drugs in Malaysia: Important targets for intervention
Loeliger KB, Marcus R, Wickersham JA, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. The syndemic of HIV, HIV-related risk and multiple co-morbidities among women who use drugs in Malaysia: Important targets for intervention. Addictive Behaviors 2015, 53: 31-39. PMID: 26436520, PMCID: PMC4679569, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.09.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug-using womenHIV testingFuture public health interventionsSubstance useHIV risk behaviorsSyndemics of HIVThird of womenPublic health problemInfrequent condom usePoor health outcomesHarm reduction effortsSubstance use disordersPublic health interventionsCross-sectional surveyUnstable living situationsSocial supportAntiretroviral therapyHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionHIV treatmentInjection paraphernaliaDrug injectionSocial comorbiditiesPsychiatric illnessMost womenHIV Prevalence Among People Who Inject Drugs in Greater Kuala Lumpur Recruited Using Respondent-Driven Sampling
Bazazi AR, Crawford F, Zelenev A, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. HIV Prevalence Among People Who Inject Drugs in Greater Kuala Lumpur Recruited Using Respondent-Driven Sampling. AIDS And Behavior 2015, 19: 2347-2357. PMID: 26358544, PMCID: PMC4743744, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1191-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicPrevention interventionsRapid HIV testingHIV prevention interventionsRespondent-driven samplingHIV testingAppropriate treatmentHigh prevalencePWIDCommunity surveillanceKuala LumpurPrevalenceBehavioral assessmentOverall sampleDrugsInterventionRecruitment sitesEpidemicInterview siteHIVGeographic regionsGreater Kuala LumpurDiscrete geographic regionsLumpurLatent class analysis of substance use among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Findings from the Asian Internet MSM Sex Survey
Lim SH, Cheung DH, Guadamuz TE, Wei C, Koe S, Altice FL. Latent class analysis of substance use among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: Findings from the Asian Internet MSM Sex Survey. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 31-37. PMID: 25865907, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.040.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance useMalaysian MSMMultinational online surveyAmphetamine-type stimulant useMale sex partnersInconsistent condom useSexual risk behaviorsSubstance use patternsRecreational drug useErectile dysfunction drugsHIV statusHIV epidemicHIV preventionRisk groupsHigh prevalenceATS useSex partnersDrug useCondom useRisk behaviorsRisk profileStimulant useGroup sexMSMLatent class analysisPrevalence and Predictors of Mental/Emotional Distress Among HIV+ Jail Detainees at Enrollment in an Observational Study
Lincoln T, Simon-Levine D, Smith J, Donenberg GR, Springer SA, Zaller N, Altice FL, Moore K, Jordan AO, Draine J, Desabrais M. Prevalence and Predictors of Mental/Emotional Distress Among HIV+ Jail Detainees at Enrollment in an Observational Study. Journal Of Correctional Health Care 2015, 21: 125-139. PMID: 25788608, PMCID: PMC4433291, DOI: 10.1177/1078345815574566.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEmotional distressJail detaineesSeverity Index scoreAddiction Severity Index (ASI) scoresPoor physical healthMental health assessmentHIV/AIDSEmotional distress scoresObservational studyIndex scoreDistress scoresHealth servicesHealth RankingsSubstance abusePhysical healthJail systemHealth assessmentBisexual orientationSpecific correlatesDistressFamily supportPrevalenceScoresHigh levelsPLWHA