2024
High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine
Ottesen T, Wickersham J, Lawrence J, Antoniak S, Zezuilin O, Polonsky M, Antonyak S, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Altice F. High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305086. PMID: 39028735, PMCID: PMC11259278, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapy prescriptionAntiretroviral therapyCD4 countSubstance use disordersIncreased levels of stigmaNational sampleLevel of stigmaIndependent of risk groupSuboptimal antiretroviral therapyInitiate antiretroviral therapyPopulation of peopleHIV expertsHIV incidenceHIV physiciansHIV treatmentKey populationsTransgender womenAntiretroviral treatmentFeeling thermometerDrinking alcoholSex workersPhysiciansSex partnersPWHRisk groups
2023
Psychometric Evaluation and Validation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spanish Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women
Ranjit Y, Krishnan A, Earnshaw V, Weikum D, Ferro E, Sanchez J, Altice F. Psychometric Evaluation and Validation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spanish Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women. Stigma And Health 2023, 8: 437-444. PMID: 38434589, PMCID: PMC10906740, DOI: 10.1037/sah0000302.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV Stigma ScaleTransgender womenStigma ScaleResource-limited settingsGood construct validityHIV clinicHIV stigmaDepressive symptomsMeasures of stigmaHIVInternalized stigmaPsychometric evaluationSociodemographic measuresMenSexMSMSocial supportConstruct validityEmployment statusSpanish versionConfirmatory factor analysisPsychometric propertiesWomenStigmaClinic
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 behaviorsViral Suppression Levels in Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women With Newly Diagnosed HIV and Alcohol Use Disorder in Peru: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Using Oral Naltrexone
Gonzales P, Bachireddy C, Grieco A, Ding R, de Leon S, Ulrich A, Lama J, Duerr AC, Altice FL. Viral Suppression Levels in Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women With Newly Diagnosed HIV and Alcohol Use Disorder in Peru: Results From a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial Using Oral Naltrexone. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2022, 89: 462-471. PMID: 34897226, PMCID: PMC8881312, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002889.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMSM/transgender womenAlcohol use disorderOral naltrexoneTransgender womenViral suppressionUse disordersEFV/TDF/FTCTreatment of AUDMaximal viral suppressionSingle treatment regimenPlacebo-controlled trialTDF/FTCAntiretroviral therapy adherenceUse of naltrexoneEvidence-based treatmentsViral suppression levelsMVs levelsSecondary outcomesTherapy adherenceLow adherenceAdherence levelsNaltrexoneAUD treatmentHIVPlacebo
2021
HIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Ranjit YS, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA. HIV care continuum among cisgender and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AIDS Care 2021, 35: 784-790. PMID: 34723714, PMCID: PMC9056582, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2021.1995839.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHIV care continuumAntiretroviral treatmentSex workersCare continuumWomen sex workersTransgender womenImportant key populationProportion of womenRespondent-driven sampling studyEvidence-based strategiesAntiretroviral therapyHIV careHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicHIVKey populationsWomenKuala LumpurCisgender womenCount testUnique needsSmall proportionTherapyPopulationAssessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia
Krishnan A, Weikum D, Cravero C, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Assessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0248705. PMID: 33755693, PMCID: PMC7987189, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248705.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuboptimal ART adherenceTransgender womenAntiretroviral therapyART adherenceHIV-positive MSMHIV-positive populationInjection drug useHIV-positive menAcceptability of mHealthRisky sexual behaviorHIV preventionTreatment strategiesUnsafe sexDrug useMHealth acceptanceExcellent accessMHealth platformSexual behaviorMenMobile healthSocietal stigmaSexMSMMHealth researchWomen
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-TestingIntegrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study
Bórquez A, Rich K, Farrell M, Degenhardt L, McKetin R, Tran LT, Cepeda J, Silva‐Santisteban A, Konda K, Cáceres CF, Kelly S, Altice FL, Martin NK. Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2020, 23: e25495. PMID: 32562365, PMCID: PMC7305413, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMSM/transgender womenHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisPre-exposure prophylaxisNew HIV infectionsHIV infectionTransgender womenStimulant useCVD mortalityCVD deathHealth harmsIntegrated substance useMore HIV infectionsHigh HIV incidenceCardiovascular disease mortalityRandom allocationUnprotected anal sexRisk of suicideHIV incidenceHIV transmissionDisease mortalityHIV riskGlobal systematic reviewAnal sexReduction interventionsSystematic reviewSafety of oral naltrexone in HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women with alcohol use disorder and initiating antiretroviral therapy
Gonzales P, Grieco A, White E, Ding R, Ignacio RB, Pinto-Santini D, Lama JR, Altice FL, Duerr A. Safety of oral naltrexone in HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women with alcohol use disorder and initiating antiretroviral therapy. PLOS ONE 2020, 15: e0228433. PMID: 32134956, PMCID: PMC7058313, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0228433.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyClinical adverse eventsAdverse eventsTransgender womenUse disordersDouble-blind randomized placebo-controlled trialMSM/transgender womenRandomized placebo-controlled trialART-naïve participantsPossibility of hepatotoxicityPlacebo-controlled trialSerious adverse eventsHIV-positive menMedication-assisted therapyProportion of subjectsAdverse event dataMultiple new medicationsOral naltrexoneStudy medicationTransaminase elevationPlacebo armNTX treatmentTreatment armsNew medications
2018
Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Wickersham JA, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 477-483. PMID: 30874476, PMCID: PMC6306649, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0186.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive transgender womenViral suppressionTransgender womenUse disordersViral suppression ratesHIV viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionAdverse health outcomesSubstance use disordersAlcohol use disorderSevere drug useUse of drugsHIV statusSubstance disordersHigh burdenHigh prevalenceCondomless sexPsychiatric disordersAnal sexFactors AssociatedHealth outcomesDrug useHIV researchLogistic regressionLast partnerGender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community
Gibson B, Brown S, Rutledge R, Wickersham J, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community. 2018, 192-207. DOI: 10.4324/9781315151120-14.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSex workTransgender womenSex workersFemale transgender sex workersTransgender sex workersMultiple healthcare needsSemi-structured interviewsGender identityFear of HIVGender transitionQualitative studyThematic codingReligious lawSensitive preventionHazardous health behaviourHealthcare utilisation patternsIdentityHealthcare accessMultiple health risksPoor health outcomesLevel of stigmaHealth risksHealthcare needsInterviewsHealthcare servicesCorrelates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rutledge R, Morozova O, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Correlates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 484-493. PMID: 30481120, PMCID: PMC6306652, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary care providersRecent HIV testingHIV testingTransgender womenLogistic regressionHIV/AIDS StrategyCorrelates of HIVPrevious depression diagnosisJoint United Nations ProgrammeHIV testing historyBehavioral risk factorsMultivariate logistic regressionYears of ageMental health functioningBivariate logistic regressionUnited Nations ProgrammeHIV statusHIV treatmentRisk factorsHIV epidemicDepression diagnosisAIDS StrategyAmphetamine useCare providersPrevention servicesCreating, reinforcing, and resisting the gender binary: a qualitative study of transgender women’s healthcare experiences in sex-segregated jails and prisons
Hughto J, Clark KA, Altice FL, Reisner SL, Kershaw TS, Pachankis JE. Creating, reinforcing, and resisting the gender binary: a qualitative study of transgender women’s healthcare experiences in sex-segregated jails and prisons. International Journal Of Prison Health 2018, 14: 69-88. PMID: 29869582, PMCID: PMC5992494, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-02-2017-0011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsGender binaryTransgender womenHealthcare experiencesWomen's healthcare experiencesResearch limitations/implications FindingsCorrectional healthcare providersProviders' limited knowledgeDesign/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviewsWomen ActFirst-hand accountsWomen's accessMethodology/approachOriginality/valueInstitutional cultureMulti-level barriersStructural stigmaFeminine identityInstitutional policiesFindings ParticipantsImplications FindingsQualitative studyHealthcare barriersInsufficient accessPrisonCorrelates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Wickersham JA, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Correlates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru. AIDS Care 2018, 30: 1341-1350. PMID: 29843518, PMCID: PMC8236114, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1476657.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchA multisite, longitudinal study of risk factors for incarceration and impact on mental health and substance use among young transgender women in the USA
Hughto JMW, Reisner SL, Kershaw TS, Altice FL, Biello KB, Mimiaga MJ, Garofalo R, Kuhns LM, Pachankis JE. A multisite, longitudinal study of risk factors for incarceration and impact on mental health and substance use among young transgender women in the USA. Journal Of Public Health 2018, 41: 100-109. PMID: 29474682, PMCID: PMC6490767, DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung transgender womenIllicit drug useRisk factorsTransgender womenRecent incarcerationDrug useSignificant independent predictorsIndividual risk factorsSubstance use disordersIndependent predictorsDepressive symptomsGeneral populationUse disordersMultilevel interventionsSomatic symptomsPoor healthRecent homelessnessMental healthStudy periodSubstance useWomenMixed effects modelsLongitudinal studySymptomsEffects model
2017
Improving correctional healthcare providers' ability to care for transgender patients: Development and evaluation of a theory-driven cultural and clinical competence intervention
Hughto J, Clark KA, Altice FL, Reisner SL, Kershaw TS, Pachankis JE. Improving correctional healthcare providers' ability to care for transgender patients: Development and evaluation of a theory-driven cultural and clinical competence intervention. Social Science & Medicine 2017, 195: 159-169. PMID: 29096945, PMCID: PMC5712271, DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.10.004.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCorrectional healthcare providersGender-affirming careTransgender patientsHealthcare providersClinical competenceTransgender careTransgender cultural competenceFuture efficacy testingLinear mixed-effects regression modelsHealthcare providers' abilityQualitative exit interviewsMixed effects regression modelsGroup-based interventionHormone therapyPatientsProviders' willingnessTransgender womenStudy outcomesExit interviewsCareEfficacy testingInterventionProviders' abilityEffects regression modelsConfidential surveyActive 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 35An 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 scaleOutcomesA 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 men
2016
Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community
Gibson BA, Brown SE, Rutledge R, Wickersham JA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community. Global Public Health 2016, 11: 1010-1025. PMID: 26824463, PMCID: PMC4983682, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1134614.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisCondomsFemaleGender IdentityHealth Services for Transgender PersonsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansInterviews as TopicIslamMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchReligion and MedicineReligion and SexRisk FactorsRisk Reduction BehaviorSex Reassignment SurgerySex WorkersSocial DiscriminationTransgender PersonsVulnerable PopulationsConceptsSex workTransgender womenSex workersFemale transgender sex workersTransgender sex workersMultiple healthcare needsSemi-structured interviewsGender identityFear of HIVGender transitionQualitative studyThematic codingReligious lawSensitive preventionHazardous health behaviourHealthcare utilisation patternsIdentityHealthcare accessMultiple health risksPoor health outcomesLevel of stigmaHealth risksHealthcare needsInterviewsHealthcare services