2024
High 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
2017
Physician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia
Ferro EG, Culbert GJ, Wickersham JA, Marcus R, Steffen AD, Pauls HA, Westergaard RP, Lee CK, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Physician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: ofw219. PMID: 28480230, PMCID: PMC5414088, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw219.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHuman immunodeficiency virusT-cell countsAdvanced human immunodeficiency virusAntiretroviral therapyKey risk populationsKey populationsRisk populationsEvidence-based treatment guidelinesHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidenceClinician-level interventionsHypothetical clinical scenariosProportion of physiciansHigher CD4HIV patientsPhysician adherenceControl patientsTreatment guidelinesHIV incidenceImmunodeficiency virusART accessART coverageInternet-based surveyPhysicians' attitudesPrevention strategiesClinical scenarios
2016
Intersecting 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
2014
Within-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
2013
Burden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Burden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e59643. PMID: 23527238, PMCID: PMC3602355, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersUse disordersInfectious diseasesHealth SurveyTreatment needsPrevalence of HIVContinuity of careAlcohol use disorderEpidemic of incarcerationHealth assessment surveyMultiple substance useViral hepatitisHIV incidenceHIV statusHIV prevalenceDrug injectionHIV epidemicHIV preventionSerological testingHealth StudyMental illnessHIVSubstance usePrevalenceDisease