2023
Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia
Rosen A, Wickersham J, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Tee V, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Luces J, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Saifi R, Shrestha R. Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 20: 5669. PMID: 37174187, PMCID: PMC10177799, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP providersNominal group techniqueMalaysian MSMEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention strategiesPotential new strategyPrEP deliveryPrEP carePrEP initiationPrEP servicesPrEP uptakeDecision aidPrevention strategiesUnderstanding of barriersComplex clinical protocolsClinical protocolsMSMQualitative focus groupsCommunity stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMen
2022
Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
Khati A, Altice FL, Vlahov D, Eger WH, Lee J, Bohonnon T, Wickersham JA, Maviglia F, Copenhaver N, Shrestha R. Nurse Practitioner–Led Integrated Rapid Access to HIV Prevention for People Who Inject Drugs (iRaPID): Protocol for a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e42585. PMID: 36222826, PMCID: PMC9597427, DOI: 10.2196/42585.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERSame-day PrEPHIV prevention programsPreliminary efficacyTrial designReal-world settingPrevention programsPre-exposure prophylaxis uptakePilot studyProspective pilot studySignificant public health concernOpioid use disorderHIV prevention strategiesHepatitis C virusOutbreak of HIVEvidence-based preventionPublic health concernInstitutional review boardMOUD initiationControlled TrialsPilot RCTC virusOpioid epidemicHIV preventionNurse practitionersExploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Eger WH, Adaralegbe A, Khati A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA, Osborne S, Shrestha R. Exploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2022, 33: 821-828. PMID: 35772943, PMCID: PMC10069270, DOI: 10.1177/09564624221106535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV prevention strategiesMultivariable logistic modelHigh-risk behaviorsMalaysian MSMPrEP uptakeMultivariable analysisHIV epidemicHealthcare engagementPrevention strategiesHealth systemSexual intercourseRM 3000PrEPProphylaxisSexual behaviorHIVMenMonthly incomeMSMMonthsHigh awarenessSexLogistic model
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 participantsPreventionFeasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Shrestha R, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Sibilio B, Ranjit YS, Copenhaver MM. Feasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Patient Preference And Adherence 2020, 14: 107-118. PMID: 32021122, PMCID: PMC6971384, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s236794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk reductionHIV preventionText messaging servicePrimary HIV preventionHIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent peopleReminder text messagesWeekly text messagesPost-intervention assessmentRisk reductionForty HIVPrEP adherenceText messagesSMS remindersRisk groupsText remindersPrevention strategiesUnderserved populationsMHealth technologiesAcceptability studyHealth carePreventionProphylaxisPreliminary evidence
2019
Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Ssenyonjo J, Copenhaver MM. Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2019, 82: 77-84. PMID: 31229618, PMCID: PMC6639056, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.06.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBio-behavioral interventionHIV risk reductionOpioid-dependent peopleMethadone maintenance programPrEP adherenceHIV transmission risk reductionFirst prospective trialPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention strategiesOngoing drug useRisk reductionBehavioral skills modelProspective trialSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeRisk reduction outcomesHIV riskWeek 20Prevention strategiesUnmet needDrug useHybrid type IBio-behavioral approachProcess evaluationAdherence
2016
The Impact of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on HIV Risk Behaviors among High-Risk Injection Drug Users: A Systematic Review.
Karki P, Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Copenhaver M. The Impact of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on HIV Risk Behaviors among High-Risk Injection Drug Users: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based Medicine & Public Health 2016, 2 PMID: 27066590, PMCID: PMC4824190.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethadone maintenance treatmentInjection drug usersSex-related risk behaviorsHIV risk behaviorsRisk behaviorsMaintenance treatmentDrug usersSystematic reviewHigh-risk injection drug usersFuture HIV prevention strategiesRisk Injection Drug UsersSex-related HIV risk behaviorsHigh-risk populationHIV prevention strategiesSignificant decreaseMultiple sex partnersPreventable drugHIV infectionTreatment adherenceHIV riskLower incidenceHigh riskPrevention strategiesSex partnersDrug use
2015
Early Sexual Debut: A Risk Factor for STIs/HIV Acquisition Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Adults in Nepal
Shrestha R, Karki P, Copenhaver M. Early Sexual Debut: A Risk Factor for STIs/HIV Acquisition Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Adults in Nepal. Journal Of Community Health 2015, 41: 70-77. PMID: 26184108, PMCID: PMC4715759, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-015-0065-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsEarly sexual debutRisk factorsHIV acquisitionSexual debutRisk behaviorsTeenage pregnancyInfection risk factorsHistory of STIHIV prevention strategiesInconsistent condom useAdverse health outcomesHigh-risk profileSTIs/HIVMultivariate logistic modelMultiple sex partnersNepal Demographic Health SurveySexual risk behaviorsDemographic Health SurveyNationally Representative SampleMean agePotential confoundersHealth SurveyPrevention strategiesHealth outcomesSex partners