2024
Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis
Macdonald C, Macpherson G, Leppan O, Tran L, Cunningham E, Hajarizadeh B, Grebely J, Farrell M, Altice F, Degenhardt L. Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health 2024, 9: e684-e699. PMID: 39214637, DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00160-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentDrug useRisk behaviorsReducing re-arrestsTherapeutic community interventionsEffectiveness of interventionsRecidivism outcomesReduce injection risk behaviorExperience incarcerationRe-arrestIncarcerationService provisionRecidivismPrisonSystematic reviewCommunity interventionsSubstance useSelf-harmInjection risk behaviorsRandom-effects meta-analysesMeta-analysisAlcohol useSyringe sharingPooled odds ratioRisk of death
2022
Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia
Pedersen CJ, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Khoshnood K, Gibson BA, Khati A, Maviglia F, Shrestha R. Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2022, 13: 879479. PMID: 35774093, PMCID: PMC9237260, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.879479.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersATS useSubstance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulantsUse disordersSevere substance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulant useSex workersAdverse health outcomesLogistic regression analysisAdverse health consequencesSexual risk behaviorsBehavioral health issuesUse of drugsHarm reduction strategiesSex work clientsRespondent-driven samplingHIV transmissionMultivariable modelHigh prevalenceHealth outcomesDrug useSex workTransgender womenRisk behaviors
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 regressionWillingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment
Ni Z, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, DiDomizio EE, Nelson LE, Shrestha R. Willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 219: 108477. PMID: 33422864, PMCID: PMC7946167, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV riskHealthcare providersSex-related risk behaviorsMultivariable logistic regression analysisAwareness of PrEPUrban methadone clinicMultiple logistic regressionDisproportionate HIV burdenLogistic regression analysisCross-sectional surveyHIV burdenHIV infectionHIV testingIndependent correlatesMethadone clinicsDrug treatmentRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPrEPPrevious useHigher likelihoodProphylaxis
2020
Identifying and managing infectious disease syndemics in patients with HIV.
Bromberg DJ, Mayer KH, Altice FL. Identifying and managing infectious disease syndemics in patients with HIV. Current Opinion In HIV And AIDS 2020, 15: 232-242. PMID: 32487816, PMCID: PMC7376494, DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000631.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInfectious diseasesDisease progressionHIV disease progressionInfluence of HIVEvidence-based interventionsAntiretroviral therapyHIV acquisitionPsychiatric comorbidityRisky sex behaviorsHIVRisk behaviorsDiseaseSubstance useInfectionSex behaviorDisease synergismSyndemicSynergistic interactionIntervention strategiesBehavioral determinantsPatientsMultipronged approachProgressionStructural determinantsPast year
2019
Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks
Shrestha R, Lim SH, Altice FL, Copenhaver M, Wickersham JA, Saifi R, Ab Halim MA, Naning H, Kamarulzaman A. Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 10-19. PMID: 31375976, PMCID: PMC6957731, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00713-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual health informationHIV testingHealth informationOnline sexual health informationSexual partnersRecent HIV testingHigh-risk MSMHIV/STIsHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention activitiesCross-sectional online surveyHealth Information OnlineMalaysian MSMSTI preventionIndependent correlatesGeosocial networking appsHIV riskMHealth interventionsMHealth strategiesMHealth toolsRisk behaviorsOlder ageLogistic regressionMSMPrevention activities
2018
Drug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments
Azbel L, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Bachireddy C, Meyer J, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Drug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments. International Journal Of Prison Health 2018, 14: 175-187. PMID: 30274558, PMCID: PMC6447033, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2017-0016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance treatmentNeedle syringe programsDrug injectionDrug injectorsHigh HIV risk behaviorElevated HIV riskPrison drug injectionHepatitis C infectionOpioid agonist treatmentHIV risk behaviorsC infectionHIV incidenceAgonist treatmentMaintenance treatmentIndependent correlatesBiobehavioral surveysHIV riskOnly examinationRisk behaviorsMMT useLow uptakeCurrent incarcerationInjectionLogit linkHigh-risk environmentsHIV 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 stigmaIntegrated Bio-behavioral Approach to Improve Adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Reduce HIV Risk in People Who Use Drugs: A Pilot Feasibility Study
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Karki P, Copenhaver MM. Integrated Bio-behavioral Approach to Improve Adherence to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis and Reduce HIV Risk in People Who Use Drugs: A Pilot Feasibility Study. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 22: 2640-2649. PMID: 29582199, PMCID: PMC6051885, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2099-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnalgesics, OpioidBiobehavioral SciencesCondomsFeasibility StudiesFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMedication AdherenceMethadoneMiddle AgedMotivationOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPatient Acceptance of Health CarePilot ProjectsPre-Exposure ProphylaxisProspective StudiesRisk Reduction BehaviorSexual BehaviorSexual PartnersSubstance Abuse, IntravenousConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxis adherenceSelf-reported PrEP adherenceSex-related risk behaviorsHIV risk reduction behaviorsBio-behavioral interventionPre-exposure prophylaxisProspective clinical trialsHigh-risk peopleHIV prevention interventionsHIV risk behaviorsPilot feasibility studyPost-intervention assessmentPrEP adherenceProphylaxis adherencePreliminary efficacyClinical trialsIntervention groupHIV riskPrevention interventionsRisk behaviorsBio-behavioral approachAdherenceInterventionHigh acceptabilityPrEP
2017
O21 HCV reinfection and injecting risk behaviour following elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment in patients on opioid agonist therapy: Co-STAR three year follow-up study
Dore G, Grebely J, Altice F, Litwin A, Dalgard O, Gane E, Shibolet O, Luetkemeyer A, Nahass R, Peng C, Conway B, Iser D, Huang H, Gendrano I, Kelly M, Hwang P, Robertson M, Wahl J, Barr E, Platt H. O21 HCV reinfection and injecting risk behaviour following elbasvir/grazoprevir treatment in patients on opioid agonist therapy: Co-STAR three year follow-up study. Journal Of Virus Eradication 2017, 3: 8. DOI: 10.1016/s2055-6640(20)30904-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeasuring Acceptability and Preferences for Implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Primary HIV Prevention Among High Risk Drug Users
Shrestha R, Karki P, Altice FL, Dubov O, Fraenkel L, Huedo-Medina T, Copenhaver M. Measuring Acceptability and Preferences for Implementation of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Using Conjoint Analysis: An Application to Primary HIV Prevention Among High Risk Drug Users. AIDS And Behavior 2017, 22: 1228-1238. PMID: 28695388, PMCID: PMC5762432, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1851-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisSex-related risk behaviorsHigh-risk drug usersAcceptability of PrEPHigh-risk PWUDPrimary HIV preventionHIV prevention approachesDrug treatment settingsKey risk populationsHIV-negative PWUDHigh acceptabilityHIV clinicPrEP acceptabilityHIV testingPrEP uptakeMethadone clinicsHIV preventionRisk populationsSide effectsTreatment settingsDrug usersPrEP attributesRisk behaviorsPrEPUnderserved populationsCohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort
Chandler R, Gordon MS, Kruszka B, Strand LN, Altice FL, Beckwith CG, Biggs ML, Cunningham W, Chris Delaney JA, Flynn PM, Golin CE, Knight K, Kral AH, Kuo I, Lorvick J, Nance RM, Ouellet LJ, Rich JD, Sacks S, Seal D, Spaulding A, Springer SA, Taxman F, Wohl D, Young JD, Young R, Crane HM. Cohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2017, 12: 24. PMID: 28511680, PMCID: PMC5433052, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-017-0107-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsTreatment cascadeViral loadHIV RNA viral loadCD4 T-cell countRisk behaviorsSubstance useT-cell countsHepatitis C infectionRNA viral loadInjection drug useHealth Related QualityHIV treatment cascadeUnprotected sexual intercourseHealth care accessRecent polysubstance useC infectionViral suppressionHIV diagnosisHIV infectionMedian ageRelated qualityCriminal justice involvementART treatmentCohort membersDeveloping an Integrated, Brief Biobehavioral HIV Prevention Intervention for High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment: The Process and Outcome of Formative Research
Shrestha R, Altice F, Karki P, Copenhaver M. Developing an Integrated, Brief Biobehavioral HIV Prevention Intervention for High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment: The Process and Outcome of Formative Research. Frontiers In Immunology 2017, 8: 561. PMID: 28553295, PMCID: PMC5425476, DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00561.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeurocognitive impairmentHigh-risk drug usersBehavioral interventionsHigh-risk PWUDHIV prevention behavioral interventionBiobehavioral approachHIV risk reductionHIV prevention interventionsDrug treatment settingsFormative researchHIV prevention effortsTarget populationPrEP adherencePrEP uptakeRisk reduction outcomesHIV preventionDrug treatmentPrevention interventionsFocus groupsTreatment settingsDrug usersRecovery programStructured focus groupsRisk behaviorsTarget population membersDesign and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia
Bazazi AR, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Shrestha R, Al-Darraji H, Copenhaver MM, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2017, 59: 1-12. PMID: 28479216, PMCID: PMC5557499, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2017.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV transmission risk behaviorsMaintenance therapyTransmission risk behaviorsEvidence-based behavioral interventionsOpioid dependencePoor HIV treatment outcomesRisk behaviorsBehavioral interventionsHIV treatment outcomesProspective clinical trialsEvidence-based treatmentsHealth-related outcomesOpioid useTreatment receiptClinical trialsTreatment outcomesIncarcerated peopleTherapyStudy participantsFactorial trialHIVTrialsInterventionOutcomesAn explanatory factor analysis of a brief self-report scale to detect neurocognitive impairment among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Weikum D, Shrestha R, Ferro EG, Vagenas P, Copenhaver M, Spudich S, Alpert MD, Cabello R, Lama JR, Sanchez J, Altice FL. An explanatory factor analysis of a brief self-report scale to detect neurocognitive impairment among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. AIDS Care 2017, 29: 1297-1301. PMID: 28449599, PMCID: PMC6337065, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1322681.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive menNeuropsychological Impairment ScaleNeurocognitive impairmentTransgender womenAntiretroviral therapyHIV-positive MSMPoor clinical outcomeHIV risk behaviorsClinical care settingsHealth-related outcomesExploratory factor analysisART adherenceClinical outcomesPatient populationCare settingsImpairment ScaleRisk behaviorsImpairmentMenPrincipal axis factoringSelf-report scalesOrthogonal varimax rotationWomenBrief self-report scaleOutcomesGender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors Among Persons Involved in the U.S. Criminal Justice System and Living with HIV or at Risk for HIV: A “Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain” Harmonization Consortium
Loeliger KB, Biggs ML, Young R, Seal DW, Beckwith CG, Kuo I, Gordon MS, Altice FL, Ouellet LJ, Cunningham WE, Young JD, Springer SA. Gender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors Among Persons Involved in the U.S. Criminal Justice System and Living with HIV or at Risk for HIV: A “Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain” Harmonization Consortium. AIDS And Behavior 2017, 21: 2945-2957. PMID: 28188460, PMCID: PMC5552433, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1722-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsRisk behaviorsHIV risk reduction interventionsHIV-negative participantsHIV-positive womenHIV-positive menMultilevel mixed-effects logistic regression modelSero-discordant partnersMixed effects logistic regression modelsCondomless sexual intercourseRisk reduction interventionsLogistic regression modelsCJ populationsBehavior Assessment ToolHIV transmissionCriminal justice populationsHigher oddsHIVReduction interventionsSexual intercourseLarge-scale studiesBaseline dataInjection equipmentJustice populationsAssessment toolA Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru
Vagenas P, Brown SE, Clark JL, Konda KA, Lama JR, Sánchez J, Duerr AC, Altice FL. A Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru. Substance Use & Misuse 2017, 52: 831-839. PMID: 28426357, PMCID: PMC5595368, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1264968.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderMSM/transgender womenTransgender womenAlcohol consumptionRisk behaviorsRisky sexual behaviorConcentrated HIV epidemicMultiple sexual partnersSexual behaviorSexual risk behaviorsAntiretroviral therapyHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionMedication adherenceProblematic drinkingSemi-structured focus groupsHIV epidemicHigh prevalencePharmacological interventionsUse disordersFocus groupsUnprotected sexAlcohol dependencePeruvian menCorrelates of willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis and anticipation of practicing safer drug- and sex-related behaviors among high-risk drug users on methadone treatment
Shrestha R, Karki P, Altice FL, Huedo-Medina TB, Meyer JP, Madden L, Copenhaver M. Correlates of willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis and anticipation of practicing safer drug- and sex-related behaviors among high-risk drug users on methadone treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 173: 107-116. PMID: 28214391, PMCID: PMC5366273, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk reductionDrug injectionHIV riskRisk behaviorsHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk PWUDOpioid-dependent personsHIV prevention approachesRecent risk behaviorsCross-sectional studyConsistent condom useHigh-risk behaviorsRisk reductionCorrelates of willingnessPrEP deliveryMethadone treatmentIndependent correlatesMethadone programsSafe drugElevated riskCasual partnersNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersKey populations
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 callsWillingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): An Empirical Test of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Huedo-Medina TB, Karki P, Copenhaver M. Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP): An Empirical Test of the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 1299-1308. PMID: 27990587, PMCID: PMC5380590, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1650-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHigh-risk PWUDBehavioral skills modelCommunity-based methadone maintenance treatmentPre-exposure prophylaxis trialsSex-related HIV risk behaviorsHigh-risk drug usersPre-exposure prophylaxisIMB modelMethadone maintenance treatmentEfficacy of PrEPUse of PrEPHIV risk behaviorsKey risk populationsHealth behavior changeHIV acquisitionProphylaxis trialsHIV infectionMaintenance treatmentHIV preventionRisk populationsDrug usersRisk behaviorsPrEPPWUDIntervention development