2024
Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis
Macdonald C, Macpherson G, Leppan O, Tran L, Cunningham E, Hajarizadeh B, Grebely J, Farrell M, Altice F, Degenhardt L. Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health 2024, 9: e684-e699. PMID: 39214637, DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00160-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentDrug useRisk behaviorsReducing re-arrestsTherapeutic community interventionsEffectiveness of interventionsRecidivism outcomesReduce injection risk behaviorExperience incarcerationRe-arrestIncarcerationService provisionRecidivismPrisonSystematic reviewCommunity interventionsSubstance useSelf-harmInjection risk behaviorsRandom-effects meta-analysesMeta-analysisAlcohol useSyringe sharingPooled odds ratioRisk of deathHigh rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine
Ottesen T, Wickersham J, Lawrence J, Antoniak S, Zezuilin O, Polonsky M, Antonyak S, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Altice F. High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0305086. PMID: 39028735, PMCID: PMC11259278, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305086.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapy prescriptionAntiretroviral therapyCD4 countSubstance use disordersIncreased levels of stigmaNational sampleLevel of stigmaIndependent of risk groupSuboptimal antiretroviral therapyInitiate antiretroviral therapyPopulation of peopleHIV expertsHIV incidenceHIV physiciansHIV treatmentKey populationsTransgender womenAntiretroviral treatmentFeeling thermometerDrinking alcoholSex workersPhysiciansSex partnersPWHRisk groups
2023
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
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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsCoinfectionHepacivirusHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansOpiate AlkaloidsSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsHIV/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
Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey
Shrestha R, Maviglia F, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim MAA, Wickersham JA. Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2022, 24: e36917. PMID: 35877172, PMCID: PMC9361153, DOI: 10.2196/36917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention informationHIV preventionDrug usePrevention informationMalaysian menMHealth platformHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention toolHIV prevention servicesSexual activityReceptive anal sexMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthIllicit drug useSexualized drug useCross-sectional surveyAcceptability of mHealthHealth technology useSelf-administered questionnaireRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementDearth of evidencePrevention servicesHIV, substance use, and mental health care in prisons
Fazel S, Bromberg DJ, Altice FL. HIV, substance use, and mental health care in prisons. The Lancet Psychiatry 2022, 9: 694-695. PMID: 35843228, PMCID: PMC9827418, DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00243-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV InfectionsHumansMental HealthPrisonersPrisonsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related Disorders
2021
Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis
Ward Z, Stone J, Bishop C, Ivakin V, Eritsyan K, Deryabina A, Low A, Cepeda J, Kelly SL, Heimer R, Cook R, Altice FL, Litz T, Terlikbayeva A, El-Bassel N, Havarkov D, Fisenka A, Boshnakova A, Klepikov A, Saliuk T, Deshko T, Vickerman P. Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis. The Lancet HIV 2021, 9: e42-e53. PMID: 34895484, PMCID: PMC8762142, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00274-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAsiaCost-Benefit AnalysisEurope, EasternHIV InfectionsHumansPublic HealthSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersConceptsOpioid agonist therapyAgonist therapyAntiretroviral therapyPublic health approachHIV transmissionDrug useDynamic HIV transmission modelHealth approachIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioHIV transmission modelNational InstituteCost-effectiveness ratioCountry-specific costsHIV incidenceUNAIDS 90US National InstitutesART coverageWHO targetPWIDTherapyPay thresholdsInfectious diseasesCost savingsDrug abuseIncremental costIndividual and poly-substance use and condomless sex among HIV-uninfected adults reporting heterosexual sex in a multi-site cohort
Fredericksen RJ, Whitney BM, Trejo E, Nance RM, Fitzsimmons E, Altice FL, Carrico AW, Cleland CM, Del Rio C, Duerr A, El-Sadr WM, Kahana S, Kuo I, Mayer K, Mehta S, Ouellet LJ, Quan VM, Rich J, Seal DW, Springer S, Taxman F, Wechsberg W, Crane HM, Delaney JAC. Individual and poly-substance use and condomless sex among HIV-uninfected adults reporting heterosexual sex in a multi-site cohort. BMC Public Health 2021, 21: 2002. PMID: 34736425, PMCID: PMC8567631, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-12026-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultCondomsFemaleHeterosexualityHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMaleRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSexual PartnersSubstance-Related DisordersUnsafe SexConceptsLikelihood of CSRecent substance useHIV-negative partnersVaginal sexAnal sexSubstance useHIV-status unknown partnersMultivariable relative risk regressionExposure classificationType of sexHIV-negative adultsPooled effect estimatesPartner's HIV statusMulti-site cohortHigher likelihoodHeterosexual sexRelative risk regressionSingle substance usePoly-substance useHIV-negativeHIV statusRisk regressionPolysubstance useCannabis useSU exposure
2020
Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study
Bórquez A, Rich K, Farrell M, Degenhardt L, McKetin R, Tran LT, Cepeda J, Silva‐Santisteban A, Konda K, Cáceres CF, Kelly S, Altice FL, Martin NK. Integrating HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis and harm reduction among men who have sex with men and transgender women to address intersecting harms associated with stimulant use: a modelling study. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2020, 23: e25495. PMID: 32562365, PMCID: PMC7305413, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25495.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMSM/transgender womenHIV pre-exposure prophylaxisPre-exposure prophylaxisNew HIV infectionsHIV infectionTransgender womenStimulant useCVD mortalityCVD deathHealth harmsIntegrated substance useMore HIV infectionsHigh HIV incidenceCardiovascular disease mortalityRandom allocationUnprotected anal sexRisk of suicideHIV incidenceHIV transmissionDisease mortalityHIV riskGlobal systematic reviewAnal sexReduction interventionsSystematic review
2019
Prisons: ignore them at our peril.
Kamarulzaman A, Verster A, Altice FL. Prisons: ignore them at our peril. Current Opinion In HIV And AIDS 2019, 14: 415-422. PMID: 31343458, PMCID: PMC7137098, DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedication-assisted therapyDrug useHIV prevention toolPrevalence of HIVMedication-assisted treatmentSyringe services programCriminal justice settingsBasic healthcareMiddle-income settingsHCV preventionOpioid dependenceTreatment strategiesHigh prevalenceOverdose managementRoutine screeningPrevention servicesHIVKey populationsMental healthcareHCVConsolidated guidelinesPrevention toolJustice settingsTreatmentEffective screeningImpact of Abstinence and of Reducing Illicit Drug Use Without Abstinence on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load
Nance RM, Trejo MEP, Whitney BM, Delaney JAC, Altice F, Beckwith CG, Chander G, Chandler R, Christopoulous K, Cunningham C, Cunningham WE, Del Rio C, Donovan D, Eron JJ, Fredericksen RJ, Kahana S, Kitahata MM, Kronmal R, Kuo I, Kurth A, Mathews WC, Mayer KH, Moore RD, Mugavero MJ, Ouellet LJ, Quan VM, Saag MS, Simoni JM, Springer S, Strand L, Taxman F, Young JD, Crane HM. Impact of Abstinence and of Reducing Illicit Drug Use Without Abstinence on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2019, 70: 867-874. PMID: 30994900, PMCID: PMC7319266, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz299.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsHIVHIV InfectionsHumansIllicit DrugsLongitudinal StudiesSubstance-Related DisordersViral LoadConceptsMethamphetamine/crystalViral suppressionViral loadIllicit opioidsIllicit drug useDrug useRelative viral loadHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral loadNumber of PLWHSubstance useHIV viral loadHuman immunodeficiency virusLongitudinal cohort studyHarm reduction interventionsCrystal useCocaine/crackHIV clinicCohort studyVL suppressionImmunodeficiency virusImpact of abstinenceClinical studiesHigher oddsDrug categoriesOpioidsEvaluation 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
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 partnerAdherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated Persons with HIV: Associations with Methadone and Perceived Safety
Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Wang M, Putri TA, Bazazi AR, Altice FL. Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated Persons with HIV: Associations with Methadone and Perceived Safety. AIDS And Behavior 2018, 23: 2048-2058. PMID: 30465106, PMCID: PMC6698149, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2344-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyART adherenceART utilizationMethadone utilizationHIV status disclosureHealth service satisfactionStatus disclosureMedical treatmentDrug dependencyPWHAdherenceMost participantsHIVMethadoneTherapyChance locusSafetyAdequate supportHigh levelsPerceived SafetyPersonal safetyDrug 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 Prisoner 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 environmentsA 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
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Gibson BA, Bazazi AR, Pillai V, Pedersen CJ, Meyer JP, El-Bassel N, Mayer KH, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2017, 44: 663-670. PMID: 28708696, PMCID: PMC5636657, DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000662.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHuman immunodeficiency virusInconsistent condom useCisgender women sex workersHIV prevalenceImmunodeficiency virusSex workersWomen sex workersDrug useCondom useHigh human immunodeficiency virusGlobal HIV prevalenceLast HIV testLifetime HIV testingPooled HIV prevalenceRespondent-driven samplingSTI prevalenceHIV testHIV burdenHIV testingMedian timeSTI preventionΧ testChlamydia trachomatisIndependent sample t-testActive 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
Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia
Bick J, Culbert G, Al-Darraji HA, Koh C, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2016, 12: 253-269. PMID: 27921633, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHealth needsLatent tuberculosis infectionCo-morbid conditionsBurden of illnessComprehensive health assessmentHepatitis C virusComplex health needsSerious public health threatPublic health threatCD4 monitoringHIV careTuberculosis infectionHIV statusPhysical examinationC virusUntreated syphilisMale prisonersTobacco useHIVDisease comorbiditiesMalaysian adultsStructured historyHealthcare resourcesDrug usePretreatment 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 ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleHumansMalaysiaMaleNeedle SharingPeer GroupRisk-TakingSubstance Abuse Treatment CentersSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersYoung AdultConceptsCompulsory 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