2023
Correlates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study
JadKarim L, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Azwa I, Saifi R, Khati A, Paudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Correlates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0294937. PMID: 38032958, PMCID: PMC10688714, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294937.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaysian MSMLogistic regressionCharacteristics of HIVFuture public health interventionsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV testing uptakeHIV testing servicesMultivariable logistic regressionHIV prevention servicesCross-sectional studyDisproportionate HIV burdenLow testing ratesPublic health interventionsCross-sectional online surveySTI testing practicesHIV burdenPrior diagnosisSocio-demographic characteristicsTesting uptakeHigher oddsMSM communityLower oddsHIVPrevention servicesTesting ratesSuicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Paudel K, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Wickersham J, Dhakal M, Sharma S, Poudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002348. PMID: 37992034, PMCID: PMC10664887, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002348.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSuicidal ideationSuicidal behaviorRisk factorsDepressive symptomsMultivariable logistic regressionCross-sectional studyMental health problemsMiddle-income countriesSmoking habitsSevere food insecurityIndependent correlatesSuicide-related problemsYoung MSMHigh prevalenceLifetime prevalenceGeneral populationHealth problemsMSMLogistic regressionPrevalenceFood insecurityEarly assessmentRelated factorsMenIdeation
2022
Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey
Maviglia F, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Copenhaver N, Kennedy O, Kern M, Khati A, Lim S, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 20: 294. PMID: 36612617, PMCID: PMC9819808, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010294.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug useMalaysian MSMDrug useGamma hydroxybutyrateGreater HIV risk behaviorsHIV-positive sexual partnerPre-exposure prophylaxis knowledgeRecent injection drug usePre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk factorsHIV-positive partnerMultivariable logistic regressionSevere depressive symptomsRecent STI diagnosisHIV risk behaviorsTransactional sexCross-sectional studyMental health servicesMultiple sex partnersDrug-related behaviorsChemsex engagementRecent sexual intercourseSTI diagnosisMultivariable analysisAssociated Factors
2021
Purposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs
Chandra DK, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM, Zhou X, Didomizio E, Shrestha R. Purposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs. Substance Use & Misuse 2021, 56: 979-987. PMID: 33769199, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1901931.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent PWIDFentanyl useOpioid-dependent peopleIndependent correlatesSevere depressionSex-related risk behaviorsMethadone-maintained patientsMultivariable logistic regressionOpioid-related mortalityRecent cocaine useCross-sectional surveySelf-reported drugMethadone dosageYoung PWIDDaily injectionsMethadone clinicsAssociated FactorsFentanyl exposureHigh prevalencePWIDSynthetic opioidsCocaine useYounger ageRisk behaviorsLogistic regression
2020
Willingness 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
2019
HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM. HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2019, 80: 166-173. PMID: 30383588, PMCID: PMC6331231, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001891.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOptimal ART adherenceAntiretroviral therapyMethadone-maintained patientsMethadone maintenance treatmentART adherenceMaintenance treatmentHIV treatment outcomesHIV-positive patientsOpioid agonist therapyMultivariable logistic regressionHIV risk behaviorsExplanatory pathwaysAgonist therapySuboptimal adherenceMedication adherenceHIV treatmentTreatment outcomesHIV stigmaPatientsLogistic regressionHIVPrevention initiativesTherapyAdherenceSignificant correlates
2018
HIV Sero-Status Non-disclosure Among HIV-Infected Opioid-Dependent Individuals: The Roles of HIV-Related Stigma, Risk Behavior, and Social Support
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Copenhaver MM. HIV Sero-Status Non-disclosure Among HIV-Infected Opioid-Dependent Individuals: The Roles of HIV-Related Stigma, Risk Behavior, and Social Support. Journal Of Community Health 2018, 44: 112-120. PMID: 30043195, PMCID: PMC6330145, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-018-0560-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsOpioid-dependent patientsHIV statusFamily/friendsSexual partnersHIV disclosureHIV sero-status disclosureRisk behaviorsHIV sero statusAntiretroviral therapy adherenceHigh-risk HIVRole of HIVMultivariable logistic regressionSubstance abuse treatment settingsHIV risk behaviorsInconsistent condom useMultiple sex partnersSocial supportHigh HIVSero statusHIV transmissionTherapy adherenceIndependent correlatesHIV riskHIV stigmaViral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Shrestha R, Copenhaver MM. Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Addictive Behaviors 2018, 85: 88-93. PMID: 29879611, PMCID: PMC6337064, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMethadone-maintained patientsOngoing injection drug useViral suppressionAntiretroviral therapyInjection drug useHIV risk behaviorsDrug useSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsImproved virologic outcomesOptimal ART adherenceHigher CD4 countsSustained viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionVirologic outcomesCD4 countMaintenance therapyOptimal adherenceART adherenceHIV treatmentIndependent correlatesTreatment challengesRisk populationsPatientsHIV