2024
Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers
Kronfli N, Lafferty L, Leone F, Stoové M, Hajarizadeh B, Lloyd A, Altice F. Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2024, 130: 104540. PMID: 39079352, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104540.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCorrectional officersCanadian federal prisonsFederal prisonsFear of beingNeedle exchange programsWrap-around servicesComplex application processCorrectional employeesFocus groupsPrisonNominal group techniquePerceived barriersAutomatic approvalFear of repercussionsHealthcare workersLack of confidentialityExchange programsSyringe programsOfficeDrug useCoverage of evidence-based interventionsCanadian effortsBloodborne virusesEvidence-based interventionsGroup technique
2020
A qualitative study of diphenhydramine injection in Kyrgyz prisons and implications for harm reduction
Meyer JP, Culbert GJ, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Kurmanalieva A, Rhodes T, Altice FL. A qualitative study of diphenhydramine injection in Kyrgyz prisons and implications for harm reduction. Harm Reduction Journal 2020, 17: 86. PMID: 33129341, PMCID: PMC7603760, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-020-00435-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle/syringe programsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV prevention effortsMental health consequencesDiphenhydramine injectionMaintenance therapyOpioid dependenceHIV transmissionState of euphoriaSyringe programsIllicit injectionSkin infectionsMethadone utilizationStudy participantsHarmful drugsHealth consequencesMethadonePrevention effortsHarm reductionAntihistaminesInjectionFurther investigationKyrgyz prisonsVisible woundsQualitative study
2017
Evaluation of a hepatitis C education intervention with clients enrolled in methadone maintenance and needle/syringe programs in Malaysia
Mukherjee TI, Pillai V, Ali SH, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Evaluation of a hepatitis C education intervention with clients enrolled in methadone maintenance and needle/syringe programs in Malaysia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 47: 144-152. PMID: 28652072, PMCID: PMC5592150, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle/syringe programsHCV knowledgeHarm reduction servicesTreatment interestEducation interventionSyringe programsEducation sessionsReduction servicesEffective public health approachHepatitis B vaccineMethadone maintenance treatmentOverall knowledge scorePublic health approachResource-limited settingsHCV treatmentHepatitis CB vaccineHIV testBaseline knowledge assessmentMaintenance treatmentPost-intervention knowledge assessmentMethadone maintenanceMMT clientsKnowledge scoreNSP services
2016
The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia
Altice FL, Azbel L, Stone J, Brooks-Pollock E, Smyrnov P, Dvoriak S, Taxman FS, El-Bassel N, Martin NK, Booth R, Stöver H, Dolan K, Vickerman P. The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1228-1248. PMID: 27427455, PMCID: PMC5087988, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30856-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyHepatitis C virusIncident tuberculosis casesAgonist therapyC virusTuberculosis casesHIV transmissionEECA countriesAntiretroviral therapy coverageHIV transmission riskNew HIV infectionsInjection of opioidsTransmission of HIVSecondary preventionHIV infectionHIV incidenceSyringe programsHIVDrug useLarge burdenTransmission riskTherapyTuberculosisDrugsHigh levels