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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsAsiaEurope, EasternHarm ReductionHealth PolicyHIV InfectionsHumansNarcotic AntagonistsNeedle-Exchange ProgramsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousConceptsOpioid 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 programsMortalityCliniciansIncidence
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 environmentsIntegrated Models of Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: How Do We Prevent HIV and HCV?
Rich KM, Bia J, Altice FL, Feinberg J. Integrated Models of Care for Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder: How Do We Prevent HIV and HCV? Current HIV/AIDS Reports 2018, 15: 266-275. PMID: 29774442, PMCID: PMC6003996, DOI: 10.1007/s11904-018-0396-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsHarm ReductionHealth ServicesHepacivirusHepatitis CHIVHIV InfectionsHumansNeedle-Exchange ProgramsOpioid-Related DisordersPre-Exposure ProphylaxisPrimary Health CareConceptsOpioid use disorderUse disordersCommunity-based harm reduction programsHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisHIV specialty carePre-exposure prophylaxisOpioid treatment programsMultidisciplinary care modelMedication-assisted treatmentBehavioral health servicesPurpose of ReviewToCo-located careHarm reduction programsHarm reduction servicesSpread of HIVTransitional clinicsHCV treatmentHepatitis CPrimary careSpecialty careCare modelPsychiatric careHIVHealth servicesReduction services
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
2015
Treatment Readiness, Attitudes Toward, and Experiences with Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy Among People Who Inject Drugs in Malaysia
Vijay A, Bazazi AR, Yee I, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Treatment Readiness, Attitudes Toward, and Experiences with Methadone and Buprenorphine Maintenance Therapy Among People Who Inject Drugs in Malaysia. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2015, 54: 29-36. PMID: 25841703, PMCID: PMC4758679, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2015.01.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge FactorsAge of OnsetAgedAttitudeBuprenorphineEthnicityFemaleHumansMalaysiaMaleMethadoneMiddle AgedNarcoticsNeedle SharingNeedle-Exchange ProgramsOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CareStress, PsychologicalSubstance Abuse Treatment CentersSubstance Abuse, IntravenousYoung AdultConceptsOpioid maintenance therapyBuprenorphine maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyTreatment readinessNeedle/syringe exchange programsSharing of needlesMultivariable linear regressionSyringe exchange programsCompulsory drug detention centersMajority of subjectsReadiness scoresOpioid dependencePatients' attitudesPrimary careMethadoneTreatment settingsStress symptom severityBuprenorphineIndian ethnicityAdult populationSymptom severityOlder agePast monthTherapyDrugsChallenges 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
2013
A 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAsiaComorbidityHIV InfectionsHumansNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPrevalencePrisonersPrisonsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsOpioid 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 databases
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 resourcesAdministration
2005
Adherence to hepatitis B virus vaccination at syringe exchange sites
Altice FL, Bruce RD, Walton MR, Buitrago MI. Adherence to hepatitis B virus vaccination at syringe exchange sites. Journal Of Urban Health 2005, 82: 151-161. PMID: 15746385, PMCID: PMC3456633, DOI: 10.1093/jurban/jti016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAge DistributionConnecticutDiagnostic Tests, RoutineFemaleHepatitis BHepatitis B AntibodiesHepatitis B Surface AntigensHepatitis B VaccinesHumansImmunization ProgramsMaleMiddle AgedMobile Health UnitsNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPatient ComplianceSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUrban Health ServicesConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusHBV infectionHealth care servicesHigh riskCare servicesHepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccinationActive injection drug usersPreventive health care servicesB virus vaccinationVaccine-eligible patientsChronic HBV infectionHepatitis C virusSyringe exchange programsSyringe exchange sitesMobile health care servicesDaily injectorsHBV vaccinationVaccination seriesVirus vaccinationC virusB virusPreventive vaccinationVaccinationDrug users
2003
Pilot study to enhance HIV care using needle exchange-based health services for out-of-treatment injecting drug users
Altice FL, Springer S, Buitrago M, Hunt DP, Friedland GH. Pilot study to enhance HIV care using needle exchange-based health services for out-of-treatment injecting drug users. Journal Of Urban Health 2003, 80: 416-427. PMID: 12930880, PMCID: PMC3455979, DOI: 10.1093/jurban/jtg053.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHuman immunodeficiency virusNondetectable viral loadCD4 lymphocyte countDrug treatmentDrug usersLymphocyte countViral loadHIV therapyBaseline HIV-1 RNA levelsNeedle exchangeHealth servicesHIV-1 RNA levelsPilot studyPotent antiretroviral combinationUtilization of HAARTActive antiretroviral therapyAntiretroviral therapy regimensHIV-1 RNACommunity-based health interventionsAdverse side effectsActive drug usersFormal drug treatmentImmunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) incidenceSmall pilot studyActive heroin injectors
2002
The Impact of Needle Exchange–based Health Services on Emergency Department Use
Pollack HA, Khoshnood K, Blankenship KM, Altice FL. The Impact of Needle Exchange–based Health Services on Emergency Department Use. Journal Of General Internal Medicine 2002, 17: 341-348. PMID: 12047730, PMCID: PMC1495047, DOI: 10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10663.x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsConnecticutEmergency Service, HospitalFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMobile Health UnitsNeedle-Exchange ProgramsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTime FactorsConceptsInjection drug usersTreatment injection drug usersEmergency department useIncidence rate ratiosED utilizationED useDepartment useDrug usersHigh-risk injection drug usersHIV-negative injection drug usersMobile health clinicHealth care delivery systemHealth care servicesCare delivery systemHIV/AIDSPre-post comparisonAcute careEmergency departmentSubgroup analysisMedical recordsHealth clinicsLongitudinal cohortDrug treatmentED servicesBinomial regression analysis
2000
Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando D, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. DOI: 10.1097/00126334-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate modelPrevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando M, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. PMID: 11064506, DOI: 10.1097/00042560-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate modelSyringe source, use, and discard among injection-drug users in New Haven, Connecticut.
Khoshnood K, Blankenship KM, Pollack HA, Roan CT, Altice FL. Syringe source, use, and discard among injection-drug users in New Haven, Connecticut. AIDS & Public Policy Journal 2000, 15: 88-94. PMID: 12189714.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsConnecticutFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansMaleNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPharmaciesPrescriptionsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersSyringes