2023
Chemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study
Palmer L, Maviglia F, Wickersham J, Khati A, Kennedy O, Copenhaver N, Uyer C, Halim M, Ikhtiaruddin W, Azwa I, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Chemsex and Harm Reduction Practices Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Malaysia: Findings from a Qualitative Study. Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 2023, 56: 585-594. PMID: 37610135, PMCID: PMC10884347, DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2023.2250342.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction practicesReduction practicesOnline focus group sessionsSocio-contextual factorsCasual sexual encountersMalaysian MSMSexualized drug useFocus group sessionsQualitative studySexual encountersCompetent interventionsChemsexGlobal attentionEmpirical dataPracticeAcute needDrug useMSMInformational needsGroup sessionsPsychoactive substancesNeedMobile technologyInterventionMen
2022
Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey
Maviglia F, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Copenhaver N, Kennedy O, Kern M, Khati A, Lim S, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Engagement in Chemsex among Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in Malaysia: Prevalence and Associated Factors from an Online National Survey. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2022, 20: 294. PMID: 36612617, PMCID: PMC9819808, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010294.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug useMalaysian MSMDrug useGamma hydroxybutyrateGreater HIV risk behaviorsHIV-positive sexual partnerPre-exposure prophylaxis knowledgeRecent injection drug usePre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk factorsHIV-positive partnerMultivariable logistic regressionSevere depressive symptomsRecent STI diagnosisHIV risk behaviorsTransactional sexCross-sectional studyMental health servicesMultiple sex partnersDrug-related behaviorsChemsex engagementRecent sexual intercourseSTI diagnosisMultivariable analysisAssociated FactorsMobile 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 servicesMobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia
Maviglia F, Shrestha R, Altice F, DiDomizio L, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim M, Wickersham J. Mobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39303. DOI: 10.2196/39303.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcceptability of mHealthHIV preventionMalaysian MSMHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention needsHIV prevention servicesHIV prevention informationHIV prevention effortsCross-sectional surveyRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementPrevention needsDearth of evidencePrevention servicesMHealth interventionsDrug useKey populationsMHealth strategiesRisk-related behaviorsDrug cravingPrevention informationPrevention effortsParticipant demographicsPreventionPrevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia
Pedersen CJ, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Khoshnood K, Gibson BA, Khati A, Maviglia F, Shrestha R. Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2022, 13: 879479. PMID: 35774093, PMCID: PMC9237260, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.879479.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersATS useSubstance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulantsUse disordersSevere substance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulant useSex workersAdverse health outcomesLogistic regression analysisAdverse health consequencesSexual risk behaviorsBehavioral health issuesUse of drugsHarm reduction strategiesSex work clientsRespondent-driven samplingHIV transmissionMultivariable modelHigh prevalenceHealth outcomesDrug useSex workTransgender womenRisk behaviorsRace, Trust, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in People with Opioid Use Disorder
Sullivan MC, Mistler C, Copenhaver MM, Wickersham JA, Ni Z, Kim RS, Shrestha R. Race, Trust, and COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy in People with Opioid Use Disorder. Health Psychology 2022, 41: 115-120. PMID: 34855415, PMCID: PMC9754617, DOI: 10.1037/hea0001120.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderMethadone maintenance programEffective vaccineVaccine hesitancyUse disordersCOVID-19 vaccine hesitancyInjection drug useEffective COVID-19 vaccineCoronavirus disease 2019COVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19Sexual risk behaviorsSocial risk factorsVaccine uptakeRisk factorsVaccination willingnessRisk groupsDisease 2019Psychosocial factorsDrug useProactive outreachPhysician ScaleRisk behaviorsHealth disparitiesVaccine
2021
Differential impacts of COVID-19 across racial-ethnic identities in persons with opioid use disorder
Mistler CB, Sullivan MC, Copenhaver MM, Meyer JP, Roth AM, Shenoi SV, Edelman EJ, Wickersham JA, Shrestha R. Differential impacts of COVID-19 across racial-ethnic identities in persons with opioid use disorder. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2021, 129: 108387. PMID: 34080555, PMCID: PMC8380664, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108387.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderPublic health responseCOVID-19Use disordersHealth behaviorsNon-prescription drug useRacial-ethnic minoritiesCOVID-19-related impactsMental health statusHealth care accessSexual health behaviorsCOVID-19 testGreater financial burdenRace/ethnicitySample of peopleDirect adverse effectsDrug treatmentCare accessAlcohol consumptionDrug useHealth statusHealth responseHealth disparitiesRisk peopleCOVID-19 pandemic presents
2020
Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and PrEP Implementation Preferences Among Transgender Women in Malaysia
Galka JM, Wang M, Azwa I, Gibson B, Lim SH, Shrestha R, Wickersham JA. Willingness to Use Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention and PrEP Implementation Preferences Among Transgender Women in Malaysia. Transgender Health 2020, 5: 258-266. PMID: 33644315, PMCID: PMC7906238, DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2020.0003.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV preventionTransgender womenWorld Health Organization indicationsEffective HIV prevention strategiesDelivery of PrEPHigh HIV burdenInjection drug useHIV prevention strategiesMalaysian adult populationProphylaxis useHIV burdenHormone usePrEP willingnessHigh school educationPrevention strategiesDrug useAdult populationOlder ageSubstance abusePrEPMultivariate modelChinese ethnicityMost participantsPreventionThe Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Cascade in People Who Inject Drugs: A Systematic Review
Mistler CB, Copenhaver MM, Shrestha R. The Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Cascade in People Who Inject Drugs: A Systematic Review. AIDS And Behavior 2020, 25: 1490-1506. PMID: 32749627, PMCID: PMC7858689, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-020-02988-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisCare cascadeSystematic reviewInjection drug useTransmission of HIVKey risk factorsPrEP eligibilityPrEP carePrEP uptakeHIV incidenceHIV transmissionRisk factorsPRISMA guidelinesPrevention strategiesPWIDDrug useLiterature searchEfficacious strategyProphylaxisPrEPDrugsInterventionHigh awarenessHIVReview
2019
Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Ssenyonjo J, Copenhaver MM. Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2019, 82: 77-84. PMID: 31229618, PMCID: PMC6639056, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.06.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBio-behavioral interventionHIV risk reductionOpioid-dependent peopleMethadone maintenance programPrEP adherenceHIV transmission risk reductionFirst prospective trialPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention strategiesOngoing drug useRisk reductionBehavioral skills modelProspective trialSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeRisk reduction outcomesHIV riskWeek 20Prevention strategiesUnmet needDrug useHybrid type IBio-behavioral approachProcess evaluationAdherence
2018
Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART)
Shrestha R, Copenhaver MM. Viral suppression among HIV-infected methadone-maintained patients: The role of ongoing injection drug use and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Addictive Behaviors 2018, 85: 88-93. PMID: 29879611, PMCID: PMC6337064, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.05.031.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyMethadone-maintained patientsOngoing injection drug useViral suppressionAntiretroviral therapyInjection drug useHIV risk behaviorsDrug useSelf-reported HIV risk behaviorsImproved virologic outcomesOptimal ART adherenceHigher CD4 countsSustained viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionVirologic outcomesCD4 countMaintenance therapyOptimal adherenceART adherenceHIV treatmentIndependent correlatesTreatment challengesRisk populationsPatientsHIV
2016
The Impact of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on HIV Risk Behaviors among High-Risk Injection Drug Users: A Systematic Review.
Karki P, Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Copenhaver M. The Impact of Methadone Maintenance Treatment on HIV Risk Behaviors among High-Risk Injection Drug Users: A Systematic Review. Evidence-based Medicine & Public Health 2016, 2 PMID: 27066590, PMCID: PMC4824190.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMethadone maintenance treatmentInjection drug usersSex-related risk behaviorsHIV risk behaviorsRisk behaviorsMaintenance treatmentDrug usersSystematic reviewHigh-risk injection drug usersFuture HIV prevention strategiesRisk Injection Drug UsersSex-related HIV risk behaviorsHigh-risk populationHIV prevention strategiesSignificant decreaseMultiple sex partnersPreventable drugHIV infectionTreatment adherenceHIV riskLower incidenceHigh riskPrevention strategiesSex partnersDrug use
2013
The Age of Initiation of Drug Use and Sexual Behavior May Influence Subsequent HIV Risk Behavior: A Systematic Review
Baldwin P, Shrestha R, Potrepka J, Copenhaver M. The Age of Initiation of Drug Use and Sexual Behavior May Influence Subsequent HIV Risk Behavior: A Systematic Review. International Scholarly Research Notices 2013, 2013: 976035. PMID: 24381791, PMCID: PMC3870609, DOI: 10.1155/2013/976035.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV risk behaviorsSubsequent HIV risk behaviorsHuman immunodeficiency virusInjection drug usersRisk behaviorsDrug useHIV risk reduction interventionsSubsequent HIV riskHigh-risk drug useRisk reduction interventionsUnprotected sexual activityHigh-risk behaviorsAge of initiationImmunodeficiency virusHIV riskDrug treatmentDrug usersReduction interventionsSystematic reviewSexual activitySexual behaviorEarly ageAgeDebutSpecific factors