2024
Prevalence and Correlates of Depression and Bipolar Disorder Among Patients Maintained on Methadone and Buprenorphine in Ukraine
Morozova O, Dvoriak V, Dumchev K, Machavariani E, Bromberg D, Dvoriak S, Altice F. Prevalence and Correlates of Depression and Bipolar Disorder Among Patients Maintained on Methadone and Buprenorphine in Ukraine. International Journal Of Mental Health And Addiction 2024, 1-18. DOI: 10.1007/s11469-024-01353-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCorrelates of depressionBipolar disorderUse disorderPrevalence of psychiatric disordersBurden of mental health disordersCo-occurring disordersAlcohol use disorderSubstance use disordersMental health disordersIntegrated care strategiesCluster randomized trialAnalyzed baseline dataOpioid use disorderPsychiatric disordersMethadone dosageDepression diagnosisStigma levelsPHQ-9Moderate/severe depressionHealth disordersDepressionCare strategiesPhysical healthDrug injectionDisorders
2021
Acceptability of an mHealth App That Provides Harm Reduction Services Among People Who Inject Drugs: Survey Study
Shelby T, Zhou X, Barber D, Altice F. Acceptability of an mHealth App That Provides Harm Reduction Services Among People Who Inject Drugs: Survey Study. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2021, 23: e25428. PMID: 34259640, PMCID: PMC8319773, DOI: 10.2196/25428.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe services programHarm reduction servicesReduction servicesSecondary outcomesMHealth appsParticipant characteristicsHarm reduction needsHome deliveryMost participantsRespondent-driven samplingPrimary outcomeSuboptimal accessIndependent correlatesMedical recordsDrug injectionMobile health appsPWIDSummary scoresMedication remindersSSP usePoisson regressionUnstable housingVulnerable populationsSyringe deliveryHealth apps
2019
HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy
LaMonaca K, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Azbel L, Morozova O, Altice FL. HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy. Current Psychiatry Reports 2019, 21: 47. PMID: 31161306, PMCID: PMC6685549, DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1038-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programDrug injectionAntiretroviral therapyHIV epidemicEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesNew HIV casesHIV prevention strategiesHarm reduction programsAgonist therapyHIV incidenceHIV casesRecent FindingsThoughPrevention strategiesSexual partnersHIVInjectionTherapyReduction programsEpidemicPunitive drug lawsService programsMortalityCliniciansIncidenceEvaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Ranjit YS, Azbel L, Krishnan A, Altice FL, Meyer JP. Evaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. AIDS Care 2019, 31: 793-797. PMID: 30701981, PMCID: PMC6510603, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1573969.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveAzerbaijanCommunicable DiseasesComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansKyrgyzstanMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedPrevalencePrisonersPrisonsSubstance-Related DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesSyphilisUkraineConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyHIV preventionHIV riskHIV care continuumCells/μLHigh-risk groupComorbid substance useEffective HIV preventionGlobal HIV preventionHigh rateHepatitis CIncarcerated womenHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV prevalencePsychiatric comorbidityDrug injectionRepresentative sampleCare continuumRisk groupsPsychiatric disordersMost womenUse disordersTreatment interventions
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 environmentsPerceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Rozanova J, Morozova O, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg JM, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Perceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Journal Of Urban Health 2018, 95: 508-522. PMID: 29728898, PMCID: PMC6095752, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0256-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentSubstance use disordersUse disordersMethadone treatmentDrug usersPoor general healthGeneral health conditionPerception of healthAgonist treatmentDrug injectionGeneral healthHigh prevalenceHealth needsHealth-related tasksLogistic regressionMethadoneHealth conditionsPre-release planningDisordersTreatmentPublic healthTotal samplePrison settingDrugsHealthConcurrent drug injection during opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Pykalo I, Madden L, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Concurrent drug injection during opioid agonist treatment among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2018, 87: 1-8. PMID: 29471921, PMCID: PMC5826566, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentMethadone maintenance treatmentConcurrent illicit drug useOAT patientsIllicit drug useDrug injectionDrug useAgonist treatmentUse disordersMultivariable logistic regressionConcurrent drug useOngoing drug usePolysubstance use disorderAlcohol use disorderMaintenance treatmentIndependent correlatesBMT programSevere opioidDrug injectingPatientsHealth outcomesTreatment dropoutAlcohol dependenceInjection initiationYounger age
2017
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
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
Pre‐incarceration police harassment, drug addiction and HIV risk behaviours among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan: results from a nationally representative cross‐sectional study
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wegman MP, Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Pre‐incarceration police harassment, drug addiction and HIV risk behaviours among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan: results from a nationally representative cross‐sectional study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2016, 19: 20880. PMID: 27435715, PMCID: PMC4951538, DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.20880.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsRepresentative cross-sectional studyHIV risk behaviorsCross-sectional studyHIV riskAddiction severityRisk behaviorsHIV risk-taking behaviorsPrison drug injectionDrug addiction severityHealth assessment surveyHIV transmissionPotential confoundersDrug injectionHIV epidemicDrug usersHigher addiction severityDrug useBivariate testingThird of prisonersDrug addictionSeverityPWIDEpidemic responseRiskStrongest correlateIntersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment
Azbel L, Polonsky M, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Asanov A, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 9-20. PMID: 27455177, PMCID: PMC5124506, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug injectionHIV infectionLifetime drug injectionPrison drug injectionHIV care continuumAntiretroviral therapy coverageConfidence intervalsMean numberEpidemic of HIVHealth assessment surveyUndiagnosed syphilisSyphilis infectionConsented participantsHIV incidenceHIV transmissionIndependent correlatesWeighted prevalenceEvidence-based responsesHIV epidemicCare continuumDuration of imprisonmentHIV preventionHealth SurveyAIDS mortalityHIV
2015
Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Loeliger KB, Marcus R, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Patterns of substance use and correlates of lifetime and active injection drug use among women in Malaysia. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2015, 42: 98-110. PMID: 26636885, PMCID: PMC4837957, DOI: 10.3109/00952990.2015.1101467.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNeedle-syringe exchange programsDrug injectionCorrelates of lifetimeDrug usePolysubstance useInjection-related risk behaviorsActive injection drug useSelf-reported HIV statusAgonist maintenance therapyLifetime drug injectionOpioid/benzodiazepineSubstance useInjection drug useHarm reduction servicesDrug use historyHarm reduction measuresPrior criminal justice involvementOAT servicesMaintenance therapyOpioid useHIV statusHIV transmissionRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementHIV riskThe syndemic of HIV, HIV-related risk and multiple co-morbidities among women who use drugs in Malaysia: Important targets for intervention
Loeliger KB, Marcus R, Wickersham JA, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. The syndemic of HIV, HIV-related risk and multiple co-morbidities among women who use drugs in Malaysia: Important targets for intervention. Addictive Behaviors 2015, 53: 31-39. PMID: 26436520, PMCID: PMC4679569, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2015.09.013.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug-using womenHIV testingFuture public health interventionsSubstance useHIV risk behaviorsSyndemics of HIVThird of womenPublic health problemInfrequent condom usePoor health outcomesHarm reduction effortsSubstance use disordersPublic health interventionsCross-sectional surveyUnstable living situationsSocial supportAntiretroviral therapyHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionHIV treatmentInjection paraphernaliaDrug injectionSocial comorbiditiesPsychiatric illnessMost womenBurden of substance use disorders, mental illness, and correlates of infectious diseases among soon-to-be released prisoners in Azerbaijan
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Suleymanov M, Ismayilov R, Dvoryak S, Rotberga S, Altice FL. Burden of substance use disorders, mental illness, and correlates of infectious diseases among soon-to-be released prisoners in Azerbaijan. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 68-75. PMID: 25861943, PMCID: PMC4447560, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyDrug injectionInfectious diseasesPrevalence of HCVSignificant independent correlatesLow HIV prevalenceHigh-endemic countriesHigh diagnostic rateEvidence-based addiction treatmentSubstance use disordersHealth assessment surveyHCV epidemicHepatitis BHCV diagnosisHIV statusHIV prevalenceART coverageHIV treatmentIndependent correlatesNew medicationsHIV epidemicHeterosexual riskHealth SurveyEndemic countriesHIVWithin-prison drug injection among HIV-infected male prisoners in Indonesia: A highly constrained choice
Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Iriyanti M, Muchransyah AP, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected male prisoners in Indonesia: A highly constrained choice. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 149: 71-79. PMID: 25659895, PMCID: PMC5108518, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrison drug injectionDrug injectionNeedle sharingDaily drug injectionsIncarceration of peopleDrug use changesSubstance use disordersHigh-risk behaviorsMale prisonersVoice-recorded interviewsHalf of participantsHIV transmissionHIV treatmentMultivariate correlatesUse disordersHIVDrug usersMultivariate analysisRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionStigmatizing attitudesDrug availabilityDrug cravingAddiction treatmentDrug supply
2014
Within-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 dataCorrelates of HIV infection and being unaware of HIV status among soon‐to‐be‐released Ukrainian prisoners
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Correlates of HIV infection and being unaware of HIV status among soon‐to‐be‐released Ukrainian prisoners. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2014, 17: 19005. PMID: 25216073, PMCID: PMC4161962, DOI: 10.7448/ias.17.1.19005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionHIV testingHIV statusHIV epidemicDrug-related HIV risk behaviorsRisk-based HIV testingHIV risk behaviorsAntiretroviral therapyHIV-positiveHIV transmissionOpioid substitutionIndependent correlatesDrug injectionFemale genderHealth SurveySerological testingPrevious incarcerationRisk behaviorsDisproportionate burdenHIVInfectionEpidemicUkrainian prisonsCorrelatesStatus
2013
Burden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Burden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e59643. PMID: 23527238, PMCID: PMC3602355, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersUse disordersInfectious diseasesHealth SurveyTreatment needsPrevalence of HIVContinuity of careAlcohol use disorderEpidemic of incarcerationHealth assessment surveyMultiple substance useViral hepatitisHIV incidenceHIV statusHIV prevalenceDrug injectionHIV epidemicHIV preventionSerological testingHealth StudyMental illnessHIVSubstance usePrevalenceDisease
2007
Clinical Care of the HIV-Infected Drug User
Bruce RD, Altice FL. Clinical Care of the HIV-Infected Drug User. Infectious Disease Clinics Of North America 2007, 21: 149-179. PMID: 17502234, PMCID: PMC2128697, DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2007.03.009.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
Safer Injection Facilities in North America: Their Place in Public Policy and Health Initiatives
Broadhead R, Kerr T, Grund J, Altice F. Safer Injection Facilities in North America: Their Place in Public Policy and Health Initiatives. Journal Of Drug Issues 2002, 32: 329-355. DOI: 10.1177/002204260203200113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSafer injection facilityHealth initiativesDrug treatmentInjection-related health problemsNeedle exchange programsDrug-using communityPublic health initiativesPublic health programsHealth care programsDrug injectionDrug overdoseDrug injectorsMortality rateCare programNeedle exchangeHealth problemsMedical careHealth programsInjection facilitiesInnovative interventionsTimely contactTreatmentHCVHIVOverdose