2021
An 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
2019
Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action
Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Stone J, Hickman M, Vickerman P, Marshall BDL, Bruneau J, Altice FL, Henderson G, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Larney S. Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action. The Lancet 2019, 394: 1560-1579. PMID: 31657732, PMCID: PMC7068135, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32229-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid useExtramedical opioid useIllicit opioid useRisk Factor StudyHepatitis C virusDrug-related harmRange of interventionsHIV mortalityOverall mortalityAgonist treatmentExtramedical usePatient acceptabilityC virusHigh prevalenceOpioid overdoseHigh-income countriesGlobal burdenOpioidsMultiple healthEffective interventionsInterventionTreatment qualityDrugsHIV
2018
Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Wickersham JA, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 477-483. PMID: 30874476, PMCID: PMC6306649, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0186.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive transgender womenViral suppressionTransgender womenUse disordersViral suppression ratesHIV viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionAdverse health outcomesSubstance use disordersAlcohol use disorderSevere drug useUse of drugsHIV statusSubstance disordersHigh burdenHigh prevalenceCondomless sexPsychiatric disordersAnal sexFactors AssociatedHealth outcomesDrug useHIV researchLogistic regressionLast partner“You Have to Keep Yourself Hidden”: Perspectives From Malaysian Malay-Muslim Men Who Have Sex With Men on Policy, Network, Community, and Individual Influences on HIV Risk
Lim SH, Brown SE, Shaw SA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL, Beyrer C. “You Have to Keep Yourself Hidden”: Perspectives From Malaysian Malay-Muslim Men Who Have Sex With Men on Policy, Network, Community, and Individual Influences on HIV Risk. Journal Of Homosexuality 2018, 67: 104-126. PMID: 30307803, DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1525946.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV riskConcerns of participantsFear of discriminationFocus group discussionsHomophobic commentsMuslim countriesDepth interviewsReligious leadersSoutheast AsiaHIV/AIDSGroup discussionsPolicyCommunityLow risk perceptionRisk perceptionHealth servicesKuala LumpurSexual behaviorIndividual factorsMost participantsGovernmentHomosexualityLeadersInterviewsReligionAll-cause mortality among people with HIV released from an integrated system of jails and prisons in Connecticut, USA, 2007–14: a retrospective observational cohort study
Loeliger KB, Altice FL, Ciarleglio MM, Rich KM, Chandra DK, Gallagher C, Desai MM, Meyer JP. All-cause mortality among people with HIV released from an integrated system of jails and prisons in Connecticut, USA, 2007–14: a retrospective observational cohort study. The Lancet HIV 2018, 5: e617-e628. PMID: 30197101, PMCID: PMC6279524, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(18)30175-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsIndex releaseCause mortalityMortality rateRetrospective observational cohort studyCox proportional hazards modelLow CD4 countObservational cohort studyHIV surveillance dataCrude mortality rateGeneral US populationProportional hazards modelStandardised mortality ratiosSubstance use disordersSystems of careHIV/AIDSSurvival of peopleVirological failureAntiretroviral therapyCD4 countMedical comorbiditiesCohort studyRetrospective cohortMedian ageLiver diseaseViral loadAge-Specific Global Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis Among Incarcerated People: A Systematic Review
Kinner SA, Snow K, Wirtz AL, Altice FL, Beyrer C, Dolan K. Age-Specific Global Prevalence of Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and Tuberculosis Among Incarcerated People: A Systematic Review. Journal Of Adolescent Health 2018, 62: s18-s26. PMID: 29455713, PMCID: PMC7413042, DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2017.09.030.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis CHepatitis BRelative riskOlder prisonersGlobal prevalencePrevalence estimatesSystematic reviewPrevalence of HIVAge-specific prevalence estimatesAge-specific prevalenceIncidence of infectionActive tuberculosisPooled prevalenceLow prevalenceHIVPrevalenceInfectionYoung adultsTuberculosisAge categoriesIncarcerated populationsAYAsIncarcerated adolescentsIncarcerated peopleCustodial settingsA multisite, longitudinal study of risk factors for incarceration and impact on mental health and substance use among young transgender women in the USA
Hughto JMW, Reisner SL, Kershaw TS, Altice FL, Biello KB, Mimiaga MJ, Garofalo R, Kuhns LM, Pachankis JE. A multisite, longitudinal study of risk factors for incarceration and impact on mental health and substance use among young transgender women in the USA. Journal Of Public Health 2018, 41: 100-109. PMID: 29474682, PMCID: PMC6490767, DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdy031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsYoung transgender womenIllicit drug useRisk factorsTransgender womenRecent incarcerationDrug useSignificant independent predictorsIndividual risk factorsSubstance use disordersIndependent predictorsDepressive symptomsGeneral populationUse disordersMultilevel interventionsSomatic symptomsPoor healthRecent homelessnessMental healthStudy periodSubstance useWomenMixed effects modelsLongitudinal studySymptomsEffects model
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 servicesImplementing and scaling up HCV treatment services for people who inject drugs and other high risk groups in Ukraine: An evaluation of programmatic and treatment outcomes
Mazhnaya A, Meteliuk A, Barnard T, Zelenev A, Filippovych S, Altice FL. Implementing and scaling up HCV treatment services for people who inject drugs and other high risk groups in Ukraine: An evaluation of programmatic and treatment outcomes. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 47: 187-195. PMID: 28811159, PMCID: PMC5918282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.07.023.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiviral AgentsCoinfectionFemaleGenotypeHealth ServicesHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansInterferon-alphaMalePolyethylene GlycolsProgram DevelopmentProgram EvaluationRecombinant ProteinsRibavirinRisk FactorsSex FactorsSofosbuvirSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSustained Virologic ResponseTreatment OutcomeUkraineYoung AdultConceptsSustained virologic responseHCV treatmentRisk groupsSVR ratesMedical recordsDirect acting antiviral medicationsComparable SVR ratesHCV genotype 3HCV prevalence estimatesHCV treatment servicesActing antiviral (DAA) medicationsCombination of sofosbuvirHigh-risk groupPatient-level outcomesProportion of participantsCommunity-based settingsDAA treatmentVirologic responseAntiviral medicationsHIV characteristicsHCV genotypesIndependent correlatesSVR dataFemale sexGenotype 3Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Pizzicato LN, Vagenas P, Gonzales P, Lama JR, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. Sexual Health 2017, 14: 304-312. PMID: 28514994, DOI: 10.1071/sh16149.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive syphilis infectionActive syphilisIndependent correlatesSyphilis infectionTransgender womenRisk factorsRecent sexRecent sex workSignificant independent correlatesReceptive anal intercourseFemale partnersRecent drug useSexual risk behaviorsTreatment of syphilisBackground SyphilisTGW populationPresent studySyphilis testingSyphilis screeningTransmissible infectionsSyphilis diagnosisHigh prevalenceStratified analysisSyphilis epidemicAge 35Cohort 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 members
2016
Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Altice FL, Krishnan A, Copenhaver M. Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 3100-3110. PMID: 28025735, PMCID: PMC5484759, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1637-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdultCell PhoneConnecticutDelivery of Health CareDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInternetMaleMethadoneNeurocognitive DisordersOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CarePrevalenceRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSmartphoneSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTelemedicineText MessagingConceptsSex-related risk behaviorsNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersRisk behaviorsHIV-negative drug usersHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk populationHigh-risk peopleHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthMethadone clinicsHIV preventionHigh prevalenceMedication remindersHealth programsMHealth acceptancePrevention effortsHealth conditionsMHealth technologiesConvenience sampleDrugsStandardized assessmentReal-world acceptanceMobile healthPhone callsThe complex interplay of social networks, geography and HIV risk among Malaysian Drug Injectors: Results from respondent-driven sampling
Zelenev A, Long E, Bazazi AR, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. The complex interplay of social networks, geography and HIV risk among Malaysian Drug Injectors: Results from respondent-driven sampling. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 98-106. PMID: 27639995, PMCID: PMC5102779, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.08.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV statusHIV transmissionClean needlesRecent injection partnersHigh-risk populationRisk reduction interventionsTargeting of interventionsPublic health surveillanceRespondent-driven samplingInjection partnersHIV preventionHIV riskTreatment coverageDrug injectorsHIVPrevention strategiesPWIDHealth surveillanceGreater Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurInterventionSurveillanceImportant mechanismStatusThe 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 levelsIntersecting 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 mortalityHIVGender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community
Gibson BA, Brown SE, Rutledge R, Wickersham JA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Gender identity, healthcare access, and risk reduction among Malaysia's mak nyah community. Global Public Health 2016, 11: 1010-1025. PMID: 26824463, PMCID: PMC4983682, DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2015.1134614.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisCondomsFemaleGender IdentityHealth Services for Transgender PersonsHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansInterviews as TopicIslamMalaysiaMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchReligion and MedicineReligion and SexRisk FactorsRisk Reduction BehaviorSex Reassignment SurgerySex WorkersSocial DiscriminationTransgender PersonsVulnerable PopulationsConceptsSex workTransgender womenSex workersFemale transgender sex workersTransgender sex workersMultiple healthcare needsSemi-structured interviewsGender identityFear of HIVGender transitionQualitative studyThematic codingReligious lawSensitive preventionHazardous health behaviourHealthcare utilisation patternsIdentityHealthcare accessMultiple health risksPoor health outcomesLevel of stigmaHealth risksHealthcare needsInterviewsHealthcare services
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 riskSex-Related Disparities in Criminal Justice and HIV Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of HIV-Infected Inmates.
Meyer JP, Cepeda J, Taxman FS, Altice FL. Sex-Related Disparities in Criminal Justice and HIV Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of HIV-Infected Inmates. American Journal Of Public Health 2015, 105: 1901-10. PMID: 26180958, PMCID: PMC4529767, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302687.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyViral suppressionSex-related differencesHigh prevalenceRisk scoreHIV treatment outcomesRetrospective cohort studyHIV viral suppressionLarge contemporary cohortSex-related disparitiesSex-specific interventionsCommunity-based treatmentWomen's higher prevalenceLogistic regression modelsCJ populationsTreatable comorbiditiesCohort studyHIV outcomesContemporary cohortTreatment outcomesHIVCJ involvementIncarceration durationOlder ageSignificant correlatesPrevalence and correlates of latent tuberculosis infection among employees of a high security prison in Malaysia
Al-Darraji HA, Tan C, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Prevalence and correlates of latent tuberculosis infection among employees of a high security prison in Malaysia. Occupational And Environmental Medicine 2015, 72: 442. PMID: 25794506, PMCID: PMC4625842, DOI: 10.1136/oemed-2014-102695.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTST positivityTuberculin skin test (TST) positivityMalaysia's largest prisonLatent tuberculosis infectionCurrent tobacco smokingSkin test positivityTB control programsLogistic regression analysisLargest prisonInduration sizeTobacco smokingTuberculosis infectionTB prevalenceTB transmissionTest positivitySociodemographic dataTB problemPrevalenceYoung menComplete dataPositivityRegression analysisStructured questionnaireCorrectional systemPrison employees
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 use