2024
User preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Palmer L, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Maviglia F, Bruno B, Azwa I, Khati A, Altice F, Paudel K, Pagoto S, Shrestha R. User preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia. PLOS Digital Health 2024, 3: e0000643. PMID: 39475851, PMCID: PMC11524455, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesHIV testingPreventive servicesPre-exposure prophylaxis uptakeHIV prevention appIncrease HIV testingMobile appsPrevalence of HIVHard-to-reach populationsStudy assessed attitudesOnline focus groupsMalaysian MSMCost of servicesPrEP uptakeDedoose softwareMHealth appsPrevention appsFocus groupsIntervention modalitiesMSMEngagement strategiesHIVConfidentiality risksThematic contentMen
2023
Awareness and Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men in Nepal
Paudel K, Kanak M, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Valente P, Ha T, Shrestha R. Awareness and Uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men who have Sex with Men in Nepal. Journal Of Community Health 2023, 49: 514-525. PMID: 38127298, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01318-1.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP awarenessBiomedical prevention strategiesHIV transmission riskUse of PrEPCross-sectional surveyHealth insurance coveragePrEP knowledgePrEP useHIV preventionStudy populationPrevention strategiesHealthcare providersBivariate analysisLogistic regressionTransmission riskPrEPMSMInsurance coverageProphylaxisHIVMenParticipantsInnovative strategiesInfectionCorrelates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study
JadKarim L, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Azwa I, Saifi R, Khati A, Paudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Correlates of never testing for HIV among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: A cross-sectional study. PLOS ONE 2023, 18: e0294937. PMID: 38032958, PMCID: PMC10688714, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0294937.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMalaysian MSMLogistic regressionCharacteristics of HIVFuture public health interventionsPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV testing uptakeHIV testing servicesMultivariable logistic regressionHIV prevention servicesCross-sectional studyDisproportionate HIV burdenLow testing ratesPublic health interventionsCross-sectional online surveySTI testing practicesHIV burdenPrior diagnosisSocio-demographic characteristicsTesting uptakeHigher oddsMSM communityLower oddsHIVPrevention servicesTesting ratesPre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment
Dubov A, Altice F, Gutierrez J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Pre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 14200. PMID: 37648731, PMCID: PMC10468492, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41264-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjectable PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxis servicesDaily oral PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisMalaysian MSMPrEP deliveryOral PrEPPrEP uptakeMSMPrEPLatent class analysisDiscrete choice experimentMenDelivery preferencesDelivery programsSexGroupClass analysisType of programPreference groupsOnline surveyProphylaxisInitiation rateHIVDosingClinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability
Shrestha R, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Gautam K, Gupta S, Sullivan P, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Phiphatkunarnon P, Wickersham J. Clinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2023, 11: e44468. PMID: 36795465, PMCID: PMC9982718, DOI: 10.2196/44468.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention servicesINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPrevention servicesMean ageHIV preventionPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention outcomesHIV self-testing (HIVST) kitsParticipants' mean ageSelf-testing kitsHealth care settingsMobile health platformMalaysian MSMMixed-methods evaluationHIV testingCare settingsLocal clinicSystem Usability ScalePrevention outcomesDays of testingMSMSmartphone appPrEPHIVMean score
2022
Formative Evaluation of the Acceptance of HIV Prevention Artificial Intelligence Chatbots By Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Focus Group Study
Peng ML, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Shrestha R, Azwa I, Zhou X, Halim MAA, Ikhtiaruddin WM, Tee V, Kamarulzaman A, Ni Z. Formative Evaluation of the Acceptance of HIV Prevention Artificial Intelligence Chatbots By Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Focus Group Study. JMIR Formative Research 2022, 6: e42055. PMID: 36201390, PMCID: PMC9585446, DOI: 10.2196/42055.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV testingMobile health interventionsMobile health strategiesHealth care professionalsStigmatized health conditionsElevated riskHealth strategiesCare professionalsKey populationsHealth interventionsDigital health toolsFocus group studyHealth awarenessHIVHealth toolsHealth conditionsPervasive stigmaGroup studyPreventionImplementation strategiesPotential implementation strategiesSexual behaviorMenPublic healthTechnical errorsExploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Eger WH, Adaralegbe A, Khati A, Azwa I, Wickersham JA, Osborne S, Shrestha R. Exploring drivers of pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men in Malaysia. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2022, 33: 821-828. PMID: 35772943, PMCID: PMC10069270, DOI: 10.1177/09564624221106535.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV prevention strategiesMultivariable logistic modelHigh-risk behaviorsMalaysian MSMPrEP uptakeMultivariable analysisHIV epidemicHealthcare engagementPrevention strategiesHealth systemSexual intercourseRM 3000PrEPProphylaxisSexual behaviorHIVMenMonthly incomeMSMMonthsHigh awarenessSexLogistic modelWillingness to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Among People With HIV in the United States: Results From a National Survey
Wickersham JA, Meyer JP, Shenoi S, Altice FL, Barakat LA, Virata M, Olivares M, Maviglia F, Khati A, Shrestha R. Willingness to Be Vaccinated Against COVID-19 Among People With HIV in the United States: Results From a National Survey. Frontiers In Medicine 2022, 9: 886936. PMID: 35847816, PMCID: PMC9280331, DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.886936.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCOVID-19 infectionCOVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19Undetectable HIV viral loadCOVID-19 vaccination uptakeAnnual influenza vaccinationHIV viral loadVaccine-related concernsNational surveyHIV careInfluenza vaccinationVaccination uptakeViral loadVaccination programSevere diseasePWHVaccineHIVInfectionIntensive outreach effortsTotal populationUnited StatesParticipantsAnnual incomeVast majorityCOVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Factors among People with HIV in the United States: Findings from a National Survey
Shrestha R, Meyer JP, Shenoi S, Khati A, Altice FL, Mistler C, Aoun-Barakat L, Virata M, Olivares M, Wickersham JA. COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy and Associated Factors among People with HIV in the United States: Findings from a National Survey. Vaccines 2022, 10: 424. PMID: 35335054, PMCID: PMC8949562, DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030424.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCOVID-19 vaccine hesitancyVaccine hesitancySevere COVID-19 diseaseMean timeSample of PWHCells/mm3COVID-19 historyVaccine-related concernsGreater vaccine hesitancyCOVID-19 vaccineCOVID-19COVID-19 diseaseLower vaccine hesitancyCross-sectional online surveyCD4 countAssociated FactorsSide effectsHIVKey populationsPWHMultivariate linear regressionVaccineCOVID-19 epidemicHesitancyMost participants
2021
Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program
Bachireddy C, Shrestha R, Bromberg DJ, Azbel L, Kurmanalieva A, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Rozanova J, Meyer JP, Altice FL. Methadone within prison and linkage to and retention in treatment upon community release for people with opioid use disorder in Kyrgyzstan: Evaluation of a national program. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2021, 101: 103558. PMID: 34915426, PMCID: PMC9998103, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103558.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV statusMean treatment durationOpioid use disorderPositive HIV statusDuration of treatmentMethadone doseHIV incidenceMethadone servicesMethadone treatmentIndependent correlatesHIV preventionUse disordersTreatment durationMethadoneNational programTreatmentHIVAdministrative dataCommunity releaseMonthsKyrgyz prisonsFirst evaluationIncarcerated peopleDurationRelease
2020
The 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
HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM. HIV-Related Stigma, Motivation to Adhere to Antiretroviral Therapy, and Medication Adherence Among HIV-Positive Methadone-Maintained Patients. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2019, 80: 166-173. PMID: 30383588, PMCID: PMC6331231, DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001891.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOptimal ART adherenceAntiretroviral therapyMethadone-maintained patientsMethadone maintenance treatmentART adherenceMaintenance treatmentHIV treatment outcomesHIV-positive patientsOpioid agonist therapyMultivariable logistic regressionHIV risk behaviorsExplanatory pathwaysAgonist therapySuboptimal adherenceMedication adherenceHIV treatmentTreatment outcomesHIV stigmaPatientsLogistic regressionHIVPrevention initiativesTherapyAdherenceSignificant correlates
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
2017
Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia
Bazazi AR, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Culbert GJ, Pillai V, Shrestha R, Al-Darraji H, Copenhaver MM, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Design and implementation of a factorial randomized controlled trial of methadone maintenance therapy and an evidence-based behavioral intervention for incarcerated people living with HIV and opioid dependence in Malaysia. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2017, 59: 1-12. PMID: 28479216, PMCID: PMC5557499, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2017.05.006.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance therapyHIV transmission risk behaviorsMaintenance therapyTransmission risk behaviorsEvidence-based behavioral interventionsOpioid dependencePoor HIV treatment outcomesRisk behaviorsBehavioral interventionsHIV treatment outcomesProspective clinical trialsEvidence-based treatmentsHealth-related outcomesOpioid useTreatment receiptClinical trialsTreatment outcomesIncarcerated peopleTherapyStudy participantsFactorial trialHIVTrialsInterventionOutcomesIntent to Use Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Risk Behaviors, and Self-Report Neurocognitive Symptoms by High-Risk Drug Users: A Mediation Analysis
Shrestha R, Karki P, Huedo-Medina TB, Copenhaver M. Intent to Use Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), HIV Risk Behaviors, and Self-Report Neurocognitive Symptoms by High-Risk Drug Users: A Mediation Analysis. Journal Of The Association Of Nurses In AIDS Care 2017, 28: 612-621. PMID: 28478870, PMCID: PMC7451137, DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2017.04.005.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsNeurocognitive impairmentRisk behaviorsPreexposure prophylaxisSelf-reported neurocognitive symptomsHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk PWUDPrEP uptakeNeurocognitive symptomsHIV riskDrug usersSimilar outcomesUnderserved populationsSignificant correlatesProphylaxisImportant unanswered questionsPreliminary evidencePrEPDissemination effortsMediation analysisUnanswered questionsVariables of interestHIVSymptomsCliniciansA Self-report Measure to Detect Neurocognitive Impairment Among Incarcerated People Living with HIV in Malaysian Context: an Exploratory Factor Analysis
Shrestha R, Weikum D, Copenhaver M, Altice FL. A Self-report Measure to Detect Neurocognitive Impairment Among Incarcerated People Living with HIV in Malaysian Context: an Exploratory Factor Analysis. International Journal Of Mental Health And Addiction 2017, 15: 812-825. PMID: 29051714, PMCID: PMC5642920, DOI: 10.1007/s11469-017-9752-0.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchNeuropsychological Impairment ScaleNeurocognitive impairmentHIV treatment outcomesNeuro-cognitive impairmentExploratory factor analysisSelf-report measuresNeurocognitive symptomsTreatment outcomesTreatment strategiesImpairment ScaleHIVScreening toolImpairmentPLWHEight-factor structureCronbach's alphaPrincipal axis factoringCognitive functioningOrthogonal varimax rotationPsychometric propertiesDrugsPresent studyMale prisonersIncarcerated peopleMore specific formsA Moderated Mediation Model of HIV-Related Stigma, Depression, and Social Support on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated Malaysian Men with HIV and Opioid Dependence
Shrestha R, Copenhaver M, Bazazi AR, Huedo-Medina TB, Krishnan A, Altice FL. A Moderated Mediation Model of HIV-Related Stigma, Depression, and Social Support on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated Malaysian Men with HIV and Opioid Dependence. AIDS And Behavior 2017, 21: 1059-1069. PMID: 28108877, PMCID: PMC5344717, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1693-x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2016
Treatment Engagement Moderates the Effect of Neurocognitive Impairment on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in HIV-Infected Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Karki P, Huedo-Medina TB, Copenhaver M. Treatment Engagement Moderates the Effect of Neurocognitive Impairment on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence in HIV-Infected Drug Users in Treatment. Journal Of The Association Of Nurses In AIDS Care 2016, 28: 85-94. PMID: 27769735, PMCID: PMC5183513, DOI: 10.1016/j.jana.2016.09.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchThe Influence of Neurocognitive Impairment, Depression, and Alcohol Use Disorders on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated, HIV-Infected, Opioid Dependent Malaysian Men: A Moderated Mediation Analysis
Shrestha R, Weikum D, Copenhaver M, Altice FL. The Influence of Neurocognitive Impairment, Depression, and Alcohol Use Disorders on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated, HIV-Infected, Opioid Dependent Malaysian Men: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 1070-1081. PMID: 27544515, PMCID: PMC5318281, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1526-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderNeurocognitive impairmentUse disordersMalaysia's largest prisonHealth-related qualityNeuropsychological factorsQuality of lifeLargest prisonHIV-InfectedOpioid dependenceHIV treatmentHRQoLImportant negative predictorMeeting criteriaFuture interventionsDepressionNegative predictorPLWHDisordersMalaysian menStandardized scalesImpairmentMediation analysisHRQoL.HIVAssociation Between Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and HIV-Risk Behaviors
Shrestha R, Copenhaver MM. Association Between Intimate Partner Violence Against Women and HIV-Risk Behaviors. Violence Against Women 2016, 22: 1621-1641. PMID: 26912296, PMCID: PMC5308057, DOI: 10.1177/1077801216628690.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsIntimate partner violenceSignificant global health issueInconsistent condom useAdverse health outcomesSTIs/HIVMultiple sex partnersSafer sexual practicesGlobal health issueHIV infectionHIV riskPartner violenceHealth outcomesSex partnersCondom useDisproportionate burdenEffective interventionsHealth issuesWomenHIVSexual practicesInfectionPotential relationshipRisk