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
Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Madden L, Stöver H, Teltzrow R, Altice F. Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002168. PMID: 37440470, PMCID: PMC10343058, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002168.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAgonist maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyInjection drug usePrevention of HIVGold standard treatmentRisk of HIVHigh prevalence ratesCare continuityStandard treatmentPrevalence ratesUse disordersImplementation science lensDrug useHarm reductionTreatment modelHIVPatientsClinicTherapyAddiction treatment modelsTreatmentProvidersInvasionInterview participants
2022
Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons
Liberman AR, Bromberg DJ, Litz T, Kurmanalieva A, Galvez S, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Interest without uptake: A mixed-methods analysis of methadone utilization in Kyrgyz prisons. PLOS ONE 2022, 17: e0276723. PMID: 36282864, PMCID: PMC9595522, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0276723.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsKyrgyz prisonsCriminal justice systemDepth qualitative interviewsMethadone utilizationMethadone treatmentMixed-method analysisBrief interventionJustice systemPrison systemCriminal subcultureQualitative interviewsEastern EuropeEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesCentral AsiaKyrgyz RepublicQualitative findingsPrison releaseHIV prevention strategiesPrisonInjection drug useMedication-assisted therapyMethadone uptakeInterpersonal relationshipsAttitudesHealth-related concerns
2021
Assessing 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
Hazardous alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy receipt, and viral suppression in people living with HIV who inject drugs in the United States, India, Russia, and Vietnam.
Wagman JA, Wynn A, Matsuzaki M, Gnatienko N, Metsch LR, Del Rio C, Feaster DJ, Nance RM, Whitney BM, Delaney JAC, Kahana SY, Crane HM, Chandler RK, Elliott JC, Altice F, Lucas GM, Mehta SH, Hirsch-Moverman Y, El-Sadr WM, Vu Q, Nguyen Thanh B, Springer SA, Tsui JI, Samet JH. Hazardous alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy receipt, and viral suppression in people living with HIV who inject drugs in the United States, India, Russia, and Vietnam. AIDS 2020, 34: 2285-2294. PMID: 33048870, PMCID: PMC7951611, DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002716.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHazardous alcohol useFormer injection drug useART receiptViral suppressionInjection drug useLow-middle income countriesAlcohol useAntiretroviral therapyMiddle-income countriesDrug useAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scoresHIV viral suppressionAlcohol Use Disorders Identification TestDisorders Identification TestTherapy receiptHIV continuumMean ageHigh-income countriesCare outcomesLogistic regressionUpper middle-income countriesPLHIVDrugsIdentification TestHIV
2018
Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: A cohort study
Loeliger KB, Meyer JP, Desai MM, Ciarleglio MM, Gallagher C, Altice FL. Retention in HIV care during the 3 years following release from incarceration: A cohort study. PLOS Medicine 2018, 15: e1002667. PMID: 30300351, PMCID: PMC6177126, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1002667.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsViral suppressionInjection drug useHIV careCohort studyTreatment outcomesDrug useNational HIV prevention strategyMultivariable logistic regression modelCase management visitsProportion of followRetrospective cohort studyEarly linkageHIV prevention strategiesLongitudinal treatment outcomesHealth insuranceBetter treatment outcomesSubstance use disordersCase management servicesLogistic regression modelsAntiretroviral therapyCohort participantsManagement visitsCriminal justice populationsLarge cohortPsychiatric disorders
2017
A qualitative assessment of an abstinence-oriented therapeutic community for prisoners with substance use disorders in Kyrgyzstan
Azbel L, Rozanova J, Michels I, Altice FL, Stöver H. A qualitative assessment of an abstinence-oriented therapeutic community for prisoners with substance use disorders in Kyrgyzstan. Harm Reduction Journal 2017, 14: 43. PMID: 28693573, PMCID: PMC5504733, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-017-0168-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUse disordersDrug useMethadone maintenance therapy programInjection drug useOpioid use disorderTherapeutic communitySubstance use disordersAddiction treatment outcomesCommunity staff membersLack of evidenceMethadone patientsTreatment optionsTreatment outcomesFuture treatmentTherapy programEvidence baseConvenience samplePatientsHigh rateLack of servicesPost-release programsPolicy documentsDisordersResultsOur analysisParticipant observationCohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort
Chandler R, Gordon MS, Kruszka B, Strand LN, Altice FL, Beckwith CG, Biggs ML, Cunningham W, Chris Delaney JA, Flynn PM, Golin CE, Knight K, Kral AH, Kuo I, Lorvick J, Nance RM, Ouellet LJ, Rich JD, Sacks S, Seal D, Spaulding A, Springer SA, Taxman F, Wohl D, Young JD, Young R, Crane HM. Cohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2017, 12: 24. PMID: 28511680, PMCID: PMC5433052, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-017-0107-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsTreatment cascadeViral loadHIV RNA viral loadCD4 T-cell countRisk behaviorsSubstance useT-cell countsHepatitis C infectionRNA viral loadInjection drug useHealth Related QualityHIV treatment cascadeUnprotected sexual intercourseHealth care accessRecent polysubstance useC infectionViral suppressionHIV diagnosisHIV infectionMedian ageRelated qualityCriminal justice involvementART treatmentCohort membersInnovative Program Delivery and Determinants of Frequent Visitation to a Mobile Medical Clinic in an Urban Setting
Gibson BA, Morano JP, Walton MR, Marcus R, Zelenev A, Bruce RD, Altice FL. Innovative Program Delivery and Determinants of Frequent Visitation to a Mobile Medical Clinic in an Urban Setting. Journal Of Health Care For The Poor And Underserved 2017, 28: 643-662. PMID: 28529215, DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2017.0065.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMobile medical clinicMedical clinicsInjection drug useVulnerable populationsHealth careHealth insurance coveragePatient characteristicsContinuous health careAcute careAffordable Care ActDrug useNegative binomial regressionInsurance coverageCare ActCareCertain populationsUtilization patternsBinomial regressionClinicVisitsProgram deliveryUnique clientsNew HavenPopulationSpecific indicators
2016
Pretreatment Drug use Characteristics and Experiences among Patients in a Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Krishnan A, Brown SE, Ghani MA, Khan F, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Pretreatment Drug use Characteristics and Experiences among Patients in a Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Approach. Substance Abuse 2016, 37: 542-549. PMID: 26914230, PMCID: PMC5551393, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2016.1146648.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompulsory drug detention centersDrug use characteristicsDrug useAmphetamine useTreatment centersDrug usersVoluntary drug treatment centresIllicit amphetamine useInjection drug useDrug treatment centersSubstance abuse treatment centersDrug use patternsDrug use profilesHigh-risk behaviorsSignificant public healthDrug initiationCare centerHigh prevalencePolysubstance useNortheast MalaysiaAddiction severityPatientsBehavioral interventionsAddiction treatmentConvenience sample
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 risk
2014
High prevalence of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia: Correlates of overdose and implications for overdose prevention from a cross-sectional study
Bazazi AR, Zelenev A, Fu JJ, Yee I, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. High prevalence of non-fatal overdose among people who inject drugs in Malaysia: Correlates of overdose and implications for overdose prevention from a cross-sectional study. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2014, 26: 675-681. PMID: 25532449, PMCID: PMC4452449, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2014.11.010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-fatal overdoseRecent non-fatal overdoseRespondent-driven samplingDrug useOdds of overdoseOpioid substitution therapyInjection drug useMultivariable logistic regressionCross-sectional studyProvision of naloxoneRisk of overdoseCause of deathSelf-reported historyPast-month drug useMethadone usePrimary outcomePeriod prevalenceOpioid dependenceSubstitution therapyOpioid usersFatal overdoseHigh prevalenceLower oddsOverdose preventionPolysubstance useStrategies for Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage to Care for Vulnerable Populations: Point-of-Care and Standard HCV Testing in a Mobile Medical Clinic
Morano JP, Zelenev A, Lombard A, Marcus R, Gibson BA, Altice FL. Strategies for Hepatitis C Testing and Linkage to Care for Vulnerable Populations: Point-of-Care and Standard HCV Testing in a Mobile Medical Clinic. Journal Of Community Health 2014, 39: 922-934. PMID: 25135842, PMCID: PMC8317466, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-014-9932-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHCV testing strategyMobile medical clinicHCV testingHCV careHCV treatmentPatient preferencesPOC testingPrior injection drug useMedical clinicsHepatitis C testingReactive test resultsInjection drug useRoutine health assessmentsPrior STI diagnosisTesting strategiesHCV prevalenceStandard phlebotomySTI diagnosisTherapeutic advancesSpecialty clinicSerological testingWhite raceC testingDrug useHCVWithin-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 data
2012
Early Identification of HIV: Empirical Support for Jail-Based Screening
de Voux A, Spaulding AC, Beckwith C, Avery A, Williams C, Messina LC, Ball S, Altice FL. Early Identification of HIV: Empirical Support for Jail-Based Screening. PLOS ONE 2012, 7: e37603. PMID: 22662177, PMCID: PMC3360747, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037603.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral treatmentClient-level dataCD4 countHIV testingMedian CD4 countRoutine HIV testingInitial CD4 countTime of diagnosisInjection drug useYounger median ageUnprotected anal intercourseCross-sectional analysisAntiretroviral therapyMedian agePharmacy costsDisease progressionAnal intercoursePost dischargeSubset of individualsNew diagnosisDrug useEarly identificationDiagnosisCells/Baseline data
2011
Medication Persistence of HIV-infected Drug Users on Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy
Ing EC, Bae JW, Maru DS, Altice FL. Medication Persistence of HIV-infected Drug Users on Directly Administered Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS And Behavior 2011, 17: 113-121. PMID: 22105340, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0082-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAnti-HIV AgentsAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveBehavior, AddictiveCD4 Lymphocyte CountConnecticutDirectly Observed TherapyDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInterviews as TopicKaplan-Meier EstimateMaleMedication AdherenceProportional Hazards ModelsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicRNA, ViralSeverity of Illness IndexSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTreatment OutcomeViral LoadConceptsDrug usersAntiretroviral therapyPatterns of medicationInjection drug useMedication-taking behaviorHigher depressive symptomsVirological outcomesMedication persistenceRegimen changeMore episodesDepressive symptomsHigher addiction severityDrug useSignificant associationConsecutive daysHIVAddiction severityMedicationsMEMS dataTherapyDaysEpisodesParticipantsRegimensDAARTAttitudes toward opioid substitution therapy and pre-incarceration HIV transmission behaviors among HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia: Implications for secondary prevention
Bachireddy C, Bazazi AR, Kavasery R, Govindasamy S, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Attitudes toward opioid substitution therapy and pre-incarceration HIV transmission behaviors among HIV-infected prisoners in Malaysia: Implications for secondary prevention. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2011, 116: 151-157. PMID: 21232882, PMCID: PMC3084892, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.12.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAttitudeComorbidityHealth Knowledge, Attitudes, PracticeHIV InfectionsHumansMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedNeedle SharingOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersPrisonersPrisonsRisk-TakingSecondary PreventionSexual BehaviorSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTime FactorsUnsafe SexYoung AdultConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHIV transmission behaviorsSubstitution therapyUnprotected sexSecondary HIV prevention effortsCommunity HIV transmissionInjection of buprenorphineSecondary HIV preventionInjection drug useHIV prevention effortsSterile injection equipmentOpioid injectionSecondary preventionOpioid dependenceHIV transmissionHIV preventionMale prisonersHIV riskInjection riskDrug useHIVCareful monitoringSexual riskBehavioral interventionsPrevention efforts
2010
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Comorbidity among HIV Seropositive and HIV Seronegative Prisoners in Malaysia
Zahari MM, Bae W, Zainal NZ, Habil H, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Comorbidity among HIV Seropositive and HIV Seronegative Prisoners in Malaysia. The American Journal Of Drug And Alcohol Abuse 2010, 36: 31-38. PMID: 20141394, PMCID: PMC4847714, DOI: 10.3109/00952990903544828.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionSubstance abusePsychiatric illnessPsychiatric disordersTriple diagnosisPsychiatric diagnosisDrug useMental illnessSubstance abuse comorbidityInjection drug useCross-sectional studyStructured Clinical InterviewSubstance use disordersPublic health approachMental Disorders-IVHIV-seropositiveOpioid dependencePotential confoundersDiagnostic Statistical ManualUse disordersDual diagnosisClinical InterviewAdequate careCommunity settingsHealth approach
2007
Integration and co-location of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and drug treatment services
Sylla L, Bruce RD, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Integration and co-location of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and drug treatment services. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2007, 18: 306-312. PMID: 17689379, PMCID: PMC2696234, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2007.03.001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug useSubstance use treatmentDrug usersEffective substance use treatmentTraining Community Health WorkersActive injection drug useUse treatmentIntegrated care delivery systemSpecialist care providersAdverse drug eventsCommunity health workersComplex patient populationInjection drug usersAdverse side effectsDrug treatment servicesDrug-drug interactionsDetection of tuberculosisCare delivery systemHIV/AIDSAntiretroviral medicationsMedication adherencePatient populationDrug eventsHIV epidemicHealth workersHIV 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