2024
A qualitative dyad analysis of barriers and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV in Kazakhstan
Neuenschwander P, Altice F, Remien R, Mergenova G, Sarsembayeva L, Rozental E, Gulyayev V, Davis A. A qualitative dyad analysis of barriers and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV in Kazakhstan. AIDS Care 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-10. PMID: 39404196, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2414078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAntiretroviral therapy adherenceSocial supportART adherenceFacilitators of ART adherenceBarriers to ART adherenceAntiretroviral therapyART adherence interventionsInjection drug useDyad analysisAdherence interventionsAdherence barriersLack of awarenessHIV epidemicAdherencePWIDDrug useHIVInterpersonal levelRelationship contextDyad membersFacilitationIndividual levelPWHDyadsIntimate partners
2023
Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Pykalo I, Ivasiy R, Islam Z, Altice F. Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1229057. PMID: 38074770, PMCID: PMC10702598, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1229057.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe service programsHIV prevention servicesHarm reduction servicesService programsWidespread HIV epidemicsSemi-structured interviewsIllicit drug usePreventive servicesHIV/AIDS preventionOutreach workersHIV epidemicReduction servicesClients transitionClient’s opennessHIV outbreakService provisionUnique clientsDrug useInterviewsPWIDHarmServicesNGO supportClientsInjection paraphernaliaGlobal HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full?
Nachega J, Musoke P, Kilmarx P, Gandhi M, Grinsztejn B, Pozniak A, Rawat A, Wilson L, Mills E, Altice F, Mellors J, Quinn T. Global HIV control: is the glass half empty or half full? The Lancet HIV 2023, 10: e617-e622. PMID: 37506723, PMCID: PMC10733629, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(23)00150-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchImproving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches
Brooks R, Wegener M, Freeman B, Fowles C, Madden L, Tetrault J, Nichols L, Altice F, Villanueva M. Improving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 1018-1028. PMID: 37439759, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169791.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV/HCV coinfectionSubstance use disorder programsHCV testingOpiate use disorderHCV coinfectionUse disordersNominal group techniqueSubstance use disorder treatment centersCascade of careRates of HIVDisorder treatment centersQuality improvement effortsRate of testingHCV acquisitionHCV cureImproving HIVSUD clinicsHepatitis CHIV testingPrior diagnosisSubsequent referralReferral ratesHIV epidemicHIVTreatment centers
2022
Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial
Shrestha R, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Sullivan P, Jadkarim L, Eger W, Gautam K, Altice F. Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e43318. PMID: 36542425, PMCID: PMC9813821, DOI: 10.2196/43318.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention servicesHIV testingMalaysian MSMPhase IHIV preventionPrevention servicesLarge-scale efficacy trialsHIV prevention resourcesMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsCare delivery servicesHealth care delivery servicesMultiphase trialPrEP servicesMiddle-income countriesHIV epidemicEfficacy trialsTrial designPrevention strategiesEntrenched stigmaHealth outcomesReal-world settingHealth interventions
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 proportionTherapyPopulationAn expanding HIV epidemic among older adults in Ukraine: Implications for patient-centered care
Rozanova J, Zeziulin O, Rich KM, Altice FL, Kiriazova T, Zaviryukha I, Sosidko T, Gulati K, Carroll C, Shenoi SV. An expanding HIV epidemic among older adults in Ukraine: Implications for patient-centered care. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0256627. PMID: 34591848, PMCID: PMC8483339, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256627.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsStandardized mortality ratioMortality rateCause standardized mortality ratioTime of diagnosisGeneral population ratesLate-stage HIVAge-matched groupHigh mortality ratePatient-centered careIncident HIVHIV diagnosisHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV treatmentHIV epidemicMortality ratioTreatment strategiesGeneral populationHIVMortality trendsAge groupsEECA countriesTreatment programSame calendar yearOlder people
2020
The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Farnum SO, Makarenko I, Madden L, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Prokhorova T, Bojko MJ, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine. Addiction 2020, 116: 83-93. PMID: 32428276, PMCID: PMC7674222, DOI: 10.1111/add.15115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOAT discontinuationAgonist therapyTreatment retentionIndependent predictorsHIV epidemicCost-effective HIV prevention strategyMethadone maintenance treatment patientsObservational longitudinal cohort studySpecialty addictions treatmentBuprenorphine maintenance treatmentHigh dosageHIV prevention strategiesLongitudinal cohort studyOpioid-dependent peopleTreatment discontinuationCohort studyMaintenance treatmentMale sexTreatment patientsPrevention strategiesDiscontinuationYounger ageCenter settingAddiction treatment
2019
Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study
Tan J, Altice FL, Madden LM, Zelenev A. Effect of expanding opioid agonist therapies on the HIV epidemic and mortality in Ukraine: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV 2019, 7: e121-e128. PMID: 31879250, PMCID: PMC7289179, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(19)30373-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNew HIV infectionsHigh HIV burdenHIV infectionMinistry of HealthOAT coverageAgonist therapyHIV burdenHIV incidenceBuprenorphine maintenance therapyPublic Health CenterMaintenance therapyHIV outcomesHIV prevalenceHIV transmissionMedication procurementHIV epidemicHealth centersHIV preventionTreatment goalsPWIDOAT expansionDisease controlSexual riskInfectionCost‐effectiveness of expanding the capacity of opioid agonist treatment in Ukraine: dynamic modeling analysis
Morozova O, Crawford FW, Cohen T, Paltiel AD, Altice FL. Cost‐effectiveness of expanding the capacity of opioid agonist treatment in Ukraine: dynamic modeling analysis. Addiction 2019, 115: 437-450. PMID: 31478285, PMCID: PMC7015766, DOI: 10.1111/add.14797.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid use disorderOAT coverageAgonist treatmentGross domestic productOpioid use initiationOpioid addiction epidemicOAT accessHIV epidemicUse disordersAddiction epidemicCapita gross domestic productPay thresholdsTreatment demandUse initiationAddiction treatmentIncremental costBaseline capacityTreatmentPotential peer effectsDomestic productTreatment spilloversEpidemicPeer effectsCoverage levelsHIV, 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 programsMortalityCliniciansIncidenceEstimated Impact of Targeted Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States
Elion RA, Kabiri M, Mayer KH, Wohl DA, Cohen J, Beaubrun AC, Altice FL. Estimated Impact of Targeted Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis: Strategies for Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2019, 16: 1592. PMID: 31067679, PMCID: PMC6539923, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16091592.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung Latino MSMYoung Black MSMPre-exposure prophylaxisBlack MSMLatino MSMPrEP useHIV Incidence Risk IndexHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmissionUse of PrEPNon-PrEP usersLowest NNTHIV infectionNNT valuesHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicHIV preventionMSM populationSubsequent infectionInfection reductionMSMPrevalenceIncidenceVirus transmissionPrEPProphylaxis
2018
Correlates 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 services
2017
HIV Testing and awareness of HIV status among people who inject drugs in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Bazazi AR, Vijay A, Crawford FW, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. HIV Testing and awareness of HIV status among people who inject drugs in greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. AIDS Care 2017, 30: 59-64. PMID: 28803503, PMCID: PMC5699941, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1363852.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV testingCompulsory drug detention centersHIV statusCorrelates of testingHIV-positive PWIDHIV testing servicesHigh-risk populationHIV testing policiesRecent criminal justice involvementRespondent-driven samplingMost PWIDHIV treatmentHIV epidemicVoluntary testingCriminal justice involvementPWIDHIVTesting recommendationsKuala LumpurTesting behaviorMandatory testingPrimary locationGreater Kuala LumpurMain correlatesTesting servicesRetention in medication-assisted treatment programs in Ukraine—Identifying factors contributing to a continuing HIV epidemic
Dumchev K, Dvoryak S, Chernova O, Morozova O, Altice FL. Retention in medication-assisted treatment programs in Ukraine—Identifying factors contributing to a continuing HIV epidemic. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 48: 44-53. PMID: 28800420, PMCID: PMC5603251, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.014.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentMedication-assisted treatment programTB test resultsTwelve-month retentionCare delivery systemCorrelates of retentionEvidence-based strategiesTB patientsMultivariable analysisOpioid dependenceAgonist treatmentHIV transmissionClinical recordsHIV epidemicOAT programsPatient retentionHigher dosingHigh dosesTreatment programPatientsSurvival analysis methodsDosingTuberculosisElectronic monitoring systemTreatmentPrimary healthcare-based integrated care with opioid agonist treatment: First experience from Ukraine
Morozova O, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Altice FL. Primary healthcare-based integrated care with opioid agonist treatment: First experience from Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2017, 173: 132-138. PMID: 28242537, PMCID: PMC5545131, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.12.025.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultBuprenorphineCross-Sectional StudiesDelivery of Health Care, IntegratedFemaleHealth Services ResearchHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMethadoneMiddle AgedOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPatient DropoutsPatient SatisfactionPilot ProjectsPrimary Health CareQuality of LifeSubstance Abuse, IntravenousUkraineConceptsOpioid agonist therapyPrimary healthcare clinicsIntegrated carePHC staffHIV patientsHIV epidemicOAT patientsOpioid agonist treatmentStandard of careAddiction treatment settingsAgonist therapyObservational cohortMiddle-income countriesAgonist treatmentPrimary careComprehensive healthcare servicesPWIDHealthcare clinicsAddiction clinicPatientsTreatment settingsDrug usersPilot studyCareHealthcare servicesA 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
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 correlateTrials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine
Azbel L, Grishaev Y, Wickersham JA, Chernova O, Dvoryak S, Polonsky M, Altice FL. Trials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2016, 12: 78-87. PMID: 27219905, PMCID: PMC5513812, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-10-2014-0041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFormer Soviet UnionHarsh prison sentencesDesign/methodology/approach Qualitative interviewsCriminal justice systemUkrainian prisonsJustice systemPrison sentencesOriginality/valueSoviet UnionBio-behavioural surveyPrisonSpecific contextDepartment involvementAdministrative staffUkraineImplementation scienceHIV epidemicIntersecting 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