2015
“Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Makarenko I, Marcus R, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. “Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drugs Education Prevention And Policy 2015, 22: 255-262. PMID: 27087758, PMCID: PMC4831711, DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2015.1016397.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid substitution therapySubstitution therapySide effectsEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent PWIDHIV prevention strategiesMulti-level barriersImplementation science projectHIV preventionMethadone clientsTreatment accessWaiting listPWIDPrevention strategiesTreatment attitudesSocial marketing campaignFree treatmentTreatment slotsTreatmentPublic healthTherapyFocus group discussionsDrugsStructural barriersParticipantsCost-Effectiveness Analysis of Brief and Expanded Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Interventions for HIV-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in the United States
Song DL, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM, Long EF. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Brief and Expanded Evidence-Based Risk Reduction Interventions for HIV-Infected People Who Inject Drugs in the United States. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0116694. PMID: 25658949, PMCID: PMC4320073, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116694.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsQuality-adjusted life yearsOpioid substitution therapyHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV prevalenceEvidence-based risk reduction interventionDynamic HIV transmission modelHolistic Health Recovery ProgramBehavioral HIV prevention interventionsFuture HIV incidenceTotal medical costsHIV transmission modelHIV prevention interventionsGeneral adult populationRisk reduction interventionsCost-effectiveness analysisSubstitution therapySexual transmissionHIV programsPrevention interventionsMedical costsTreatment settingsLife yearsReduction interventionsUS populationChallenges in managing HIV in people who use drugs
Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Challenges in managing HIV in people who use drugs. Current Opinion In Infectious Diseases 2015, 28: 10-16. PMID: 25490106, PMCID: PMC4409950, DOI: 10.1097/qco.0000000000000125.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsCoinfectionComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansMedication AdherenceMental DisordersNeedle-Exchange ProgramsOpiate Substitution TreatmentSocial ClassSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersTuberculosisConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHepatitis C virusHIV continuumTreatment outcomesImproved ART adherenceInterferon-based regimesTB treatment outcomesHIV treatment outcomesBetter treatment retentionEvidence-based preventionHIV treatment accessHIV-HCVNoninfectious comorbiditiesOST servicesCare retentionART adherenceHIV managementAntiretroviral adherencePsychiatric comorbiditySubstitution therapyHIV treatmentNew diagnostic technologiesC virusClinical managementEarly diagnosis
2014
Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Taxman FS, Grishaev E, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2014, 148: 47-55. PMID: 25620732, PMCID: PMC4330127, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHIV/AIDSSubstitution therapyEffective HIV prevention strategiesHIV prevention strategiesDrug intoleranceOpioid dependencePrevention treatmentPrevention strategiesSubsequent interventionsUkrainian prisonsHealth benefitsScientific evidenceDrug addictionTherapyPositive attitudesTreatmentAIDSAddictionPersonnel attitudesOverwhelming evidenceCriminal justice outcomesEffective formCustodial staffWorkers' attitudesHigh prevalence of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia: Correlates of overdose and implications for overdose prevention from a cross-sectional study
Bazazi AR, Zelenev A, Fu JJ, Yee I, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. High prevalence of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia: Correlates of overdose and implications for overdose prevention from a cross-sectional study. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 26: 675-681. PMID: 25532449, PMCID: PMC4452449, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.11.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-fatal overdoseRecent non-fatal overdoseRespondent-driven samplingDrug useOdds of overdoseOpioid substitution therapyInjection drug useMultivariable logistic regressionCross-sectional studyProvision of naloxoneRisk of overdoseCause of deathSelf-reported historyPast-month drug useMethadone usePrimary outcomePeriod prevalenceOpioid dependenceSubstitution therapyOpioid usersFatal overdoseHigh prevalenceLower oddsOverdose preventionPolysubstance useWithin-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Wickersham JA, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected Ukrainian prisoners: Prevalence and correlates of an extremely high-risk behaviour. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 25: 845-852. PMID: 24951025, PMCID: PMC4148465, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.02.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection equipment sharingPrison drug injectionNeedle/syringeIndependent correlatesDrug injectionNeedle/syringe exchange programsDrug useOpioid substitution therapyInjection drug useEquipment sharingSyringe exchange programsHigh-risk behaviorsPrior drug useOpioid useHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionSubstitution therapyMale genderHarm reduction practicesHIVLogistic regressionMental healthConvenience sampleComplete data
2013
Integration of health services improves multiple healthcare outcomes among HIV-infected people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Bachireddy C, Soule MC, Izenberg JM, Dvoryak S, Dumchev K, Altice FL. Integration of health services improves multiple healthcare outcomes among HIV-infected people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 134: 106-114. PMID: 24128379, PMCID: PMC3865106, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.09.020.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyOpioid-dependent PWIDIsoniazid preventive therapyHealth-related qualityNeedles/syringesHIV-endemic regionsComposite scoreCross-sectional studyHealthcare quality indicatorsAntiretroviral therapyTuberculosis servicesPreventive therapySecondary outcomesHigher HRQoLMiddle-income countriesPrimary outcomePoor outcomeSubstitution therapyPotential confoundersTuberculosis treatmentHIV epidemicHIVHealth servicesPWIDOutreach settingsA review of medical and substance use co-morbidities in Central Asian prisons: Implications for HIV prevention and treatment
Vagenas P, Azbel L, Polonsky M, Kerimi N, Mamyrov M, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. A review of medical and substance use co-morbidities in Central Asian prisons: Implications for HIV prevention and treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 132: s25-s31. PMID: 23932844, PMCID: PMC3825758, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.07.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyDrug-related health problemsHIV preventionHealth problemsHIV sentinel surveillanceHIV prevention interventionsConcentration of HIVHIV incidenceHIV casesSubstitution therapyHIV prevalenceSentinel surveillancePrevention interventionsRisk populationsDisease RegistryTreatment servicesHealth reportingSubstance useHealthcare servicesRecent dataPrevalenceCrucial interventionPreventionInterventionOnline databasesHigh rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. High rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 133: 154-160. PMID: 23769160, PMCID: PMC3786010, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyAntiretroviral therapyHIV transmissionHIV epidemicHigh-risk injection practicesSignificant independent correlatesMedication interruptionOST treatmentART prescriptionAdverse eventsSubstitution therapyIndependent correlatesWithdrawal symptomsMale genderEssential medicationsInjection practicesHealth outcomesLogistic regressionHIVPublic healthTherapyHigh rateHealthCorrelatesParticipantsUkrainian prisoners and community reentry challenges: implications for transitional care
Morozova O, Azbel L, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Wickersham JA, Altice FL. Ukrainian prisoners and community reentry challenges: implications for transitional care. International Journal Of Prison Health 2013, 9: 5-19. PMID: 25152767, PMCID: PMC4138714, DOI: 10.1108/17449201311310760.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNational cross-sectional studyPost-release interventionsOpioid substitution therapyCross-sectional studyEvidence-based treatmentsComprehensive case managementSocial supportSubstitution therapyTransitional careDrug usersMultivariate analysisPrevious incarcerationCase managementInfectious diseasesDrug relapseCommunity reintegrationStructured questionnaireGreater numberHelpful measureIntervention
2012
Absence of Antiretroviral Therapy and Other Risk Factors for Morbidity and Mortality in Malaysian Compulsory Drug Detention and Rehabilitation Centers
Fu JJ, Bazazi AR, Altice FL, Mohamed MN, Kamarulzaman A. Absence of Antiretroviral Therapy and Other Risk Factors for Morbidity and Mortality in Malaysian Compulsory Drug Detention and Rehabilitation Centers. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e44249. PMID: 23028508, PMCID: PMC3445567, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0044249.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompulsory drug detentionAntiretroviral therapyRehabilitation centerMedical careUntreated medical conditionsOpioid substitution therapyUnmet health needsPercent of participantsActive tuberculosisEvidence-based drug policyOpioid dependenceSubstitution therapyRisk factorsClinical assessmentMedical conditionsHigh riskHIVDrug useHealth statusHealth needsSuicidal ideationTherapyMale detaineesMost participantsCare
2011
Attitudes toward opioid substitution therapy and pre-incarceration HIV transmission behaviors among HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia: Implications for secondary prevention
Bachireddy C, Bazazi AR, Kavasery R, Govindasamy S, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Attitudes toward opioid substitution therapy and pre-incarceration HIV transmission behaviors among HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia: Implications for secondary prevention. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2011, 116: 151-157. PMID: 21232882, PMCID: PMC3084892, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAttitudeComorbidityHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsHumansMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedNeedle SharingOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPrisonersPrisonsRisk-TakingSecondary PreventionSexual BehaviorSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTime FactorsUnsafe SexYoung AdultConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHIV transmission behaviorsSubstitution therapyUnprotected sexSecondary HIV prevention effortsCommunity HIV transmissionInjection of buprenorphineSecondary HIV preventionInjection drug useHIV prevention effortsSterile injection equipmentOpioid injectionSecondary preventionOpioid dependenceHIV transmissionHIV preventionMale prisonersHIV riskInjection riskDrug useHIVCareful monitoringSexual riskBehavioral interventionsPrevention efforts
2007
HIV treatment access and scale-up for delivery of opiate substitution therapy with buprenorphine for IDUs in Ukraine—programme description and policy implications
Bruce RD, Dvoryak S, Sylla L, Altice FL. HIV treatment access and scale-up for delivery of opiate substitution therapy with buprenorphine for IDUs in Ukraine—programme description and policy implications. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2007, 18: 326-328. PMID: 17689382, PMCID: PMC2084072, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2006.12.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBuprenorphine maintenance therapyInjection drug useAnti-retroviral therapySubstitution therapyDrug useAddition of methadoneAdministration of buprenorphineHIV-1 seropositivityOpiate substitution therapyOverall health outcomesIllicit drug useCost of buprenorphineHIV treatment accessMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceHIV casesEntry criteriaTreatment accessBuprenorphineDrug usersHealth outcomesMultidisciplinary teamTherapyGlobal Fund resourcesAdministrationCase Series on the Safe Use of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Individuals with Acute Hepatitis C Infection and Abnormal Hepatic Liver Transaminases
Bruce RD, Altice FL. Case Series on the Safe Use of Buprenorphine/Naloxone in Individuals with Acute Hepatitis C Infection and Abnormal Hepatic Liver Transaminases. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2007, 33: 869-874. PMID: 17994482, DOI: 10.1080/00952990701653875.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis C virusAcute hepatitis C infectionHepatitis C infectionBuprenorphine treatmentC infectionChronic viral illnessesSafety of buprenorphineAcute HCV infectionBuprenorphine/naloxoneOpiate substitution therapyOpioid-dependent patientsOpiate substitution treatmentLaboratory evaluationChronic hepatitisElevated transaminasesHCV infectionLiver transaminasesViral illnessCase seriesSubstitution therapyC virusSubstitution treatmentBuprenorphinePatientsTransaminase