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 contentMenIncreased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors
Thapa S, Ogunleye T, Shrestha R, Joshi R, Hannes K. Increased Stigma, and Physical and Sexual Violence Against Men Who Have Sex with Men and Transgender Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis Analyzing Social and Structural Barriers to HIV Testing and Coping Behaviors. Journal Of Homosexuality 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-27. PMID: 38456684, DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2024.2320237.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenHIV testing servicesStructural barriersSub-Saharan AfricaSub-SaharanSub-Saharan African countriesSame-sex relationshipsHIV testingTesting servicesFear of discriminationAnalyzing socializationPhysical violenceSex relationshipsHIV testing uptakeLack of trustAfrican countriesQualitative evidence synthesisPoor accessIncreased stigmaRisky behaviorsCriminalsQualitative studyMSMTesting uptakeNon-disclosureMediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Paudel K, Bhandari P, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Ha T, Banik S, Shrestha R. Mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between perceived MSM related stigma and depressive symptoms among men who have sex with men in Nepal. PLOS ONE 2024, 19: e0296097. PMID: 38166131, PMCID: PMC10760890, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0296097.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDepressive symptomsHigher ageCross-sectional studyHealth-related confoundersResource-limited countriesCondom-less sexMental health concernsRespondent-driven samplingPrEP uptakeFood insecurityDearth of evidenceUnadjusted modelsAdjusted modelSymptomsHealth concernMSMOutcome variablesConfidence intervalsMenMonthly incomeSexAssociationStigmaAgePrevious studies
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 strategiesInfectionSuicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study
Paudel K, Gautam K, Bhandari P, Wickersham J, Dhakal M, Sharma S, Poudel K, Ha T, Shrestha R. Suicidal ideation, plan, and attempt among men who have sex with men in Nepal: Findings from a cross-sectional study. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002348. PMID: 37992034, PMCID: PMC10664887, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002348.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchSuicidal ideationSuicidal behaviorRisk factorsDepressive symptomsMultivariable logistic regressionCross-sectional studyMental health problemsMiddle-income countriesSmoking habitsSevere food insecurityIndependent correlatesSuicide-related problemsYoung MSMHigh prevalenceLifetime prevalenceGeneral populationHealth problemsMSMLogistic regressionPrevalenceFood insecurityEarly assessmentRelated factorsMenIdeationUncovering the knowledge gaps: A survey on human monkeypox infection among men who have sex with men in Nepal
Paudel K, Gautam K, Sujan S, Wickersham J, Chaudhari P, Shrestha R. Uncovering the knowledge gaps: A survey on human monkeypox infection among men who have sex with men in Nepal. Health Prospect 2023, 22: 1-8. PMID: 37954124, PMCID: PMC10636784, DOI: 10.3126/hprospect.v22i1.53504.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-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 rateHIVDosingChemsex 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 technologyInterventionMenBarriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia
Rosen A, Wickersham J, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Tee V, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Luces J, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Saifi R, Shrestha R. Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis by Men Who Have Sex with Men and Community Stakeholders in Malaysia. International Journal Of Environmental Research And Public Health 2023, 20: 5669. PMID: 37174187, PMCID: PMC10177799, DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20095669.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP providersNominal group techniqueMalaysian MSMEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesPatient-centered decision aidAwareness of PrEPHIV prevention strategiesPotential new strategyPrEP deliveryPrEP carePrEP initiationPrEP servicesPrEP uptakeDecision aidPrevention strategiesUnderstanding of barriersComplex clinical protocolsClinical protocolsMSMQualitative focus groupsCommunity stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMenClinic-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 scoreHigh Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia
Paudel K, Gupta S, Gautam K, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ha T, Shrestha R. High Interest in Long-acting Injectable Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (LAI-PrEP) for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men (MSM): Result From A Nationwide Survey in Malaysia. Journal Of Community Health 2023, 48: 513-521. PMID: 36732459, PMCID: PMC10200758, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01195-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLAI-PrEPHIV preventionInjectable pre-exposure prophylaxisLong-term side effectsPre-exposure prophylaxisOnline cross-sectional surveyCross-sectional surveyInjectable cabotegravirInjectable PrEPMalaysian MSMPrEP modalitiesOral PrEPHIV testingMiddle-income countriesOral pillsPrior historySide effectsRecent approvalPrEP optionsStudy participantsMSMPrEPNationwide surveyConvenience samplingNationwide sample
2022
Ethical Issues in the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men
Khati A, Wickersham J, Rosen A, Luces J, Copenhaver N, Jeri-Wahrhaftig A, Halim M, Azwa I, Gautam K, Ooi K, Shrestha R. Ethical Issues in the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men. JMIR Formative Research 2022, 6: e42939. PMID: 36563046, PMCID: PMC9823573, DOI: 10.2196/42939.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention programsHIV preventionPrevention programsHIV prevention cascadeMobile health platformMalaysian MSMPrevention cascadeImplementation of appsKey populationsFocus group studyInformed consentDedoose softwareGroup studySmartphone appMSMPreventionHealth informationPersonal health informationHealth platformMenUnintended harmFocus group discussionsSexEthical concernsEquitable accessPerspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men
Khati A, Shrestha R, Rosen A, Luces J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Halim M. Perspectives on Ethical Issues Around the Use of Smartphone Apps for HIV Prevention in Malaysia: Focus Group Study With Men Who Have Sex With Men. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39372. DOI: 10.2196/39372.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention effortsHIV prevention programsHIV preventionMalaysian MSMPrevention effortsPrevention programsHIV prevention cascadePrevention cascadeImplementation of appsKey populationsFocus group studyMSMDedoose softwareGroup studySmartphone appPreventionMenOnline focus group discussionsFocus group discussionsApp useSexRiskParticipantsConfidentiality concernsEthical concernsExploring 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 model
2021
Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns Related to the Use of mHealth Apps for HIV Prevention Efforts Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-sectional Survey Study
Shrestha R, Fisher C, Wickersham JA, Khati A, Kim R, Azwa I, Mistler C, Goldsamt L. Privacy and Confidentiality Concerns Related to the Use of mHealth Apps for HIV Prevention Efforts Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex With Men: Cross-sectional Survey Study. JMIR Formative Research 2021, 5: e28311. PMID: 34924355, PMCID: PMC8726055, DOI: 10.2196/28311.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention programsHIV prevention effortsPrevention programsApp-based programMalaysian MSMPrevention effortsMultivariable logistic regression modelHIV prevention cascadeSexual health questionsCross-sectional survey studyLogistic regression modelsCorrelates of willingnessConfidentiality concernsPrevention cascadeImplementation of appsKey populationsMultivariate analysisWeb-based surveyHealth questionsClinical interactionsMHealth platformMSME-prescriptionsMHealth appsMen
2020
Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis
Shrestha R, Alias H, Wong LP, Altice FL, Lim SH. Using individual stated-preferences to optimize HIV self-testing service delivery among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia: results from a conjoint-based analysis. BMC Public Health 2020, 20: 1777. PMID: 33238941, PMCID: PMC7687720, DOI: 10.1186/s12889-020-09832-w.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsClinic-based HIV testingHIV testing uptakeMethodsA cross-sectional online surveyCross-sectional online surveyNational AIDS ProgramAcceptability of HIVSTMalaysian MSMHIV testingTesting uptakeService delivery programsKey populationsHIVSTService delivery modelsAIDS ProgramMSMKit deliveryTelephone hotlineService delivery approachHigh acceptabilityDelivery programsMultiple barriersSafe useMean acceptabilityDelivery approachDelivery model
2019
Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks
Shrestha R, Lim SH, Altice FL, Copenhaver M, Wickersham JA, Saifi R, Ab Halim MA, Naning H, Kamarulzaman A. Use of Smartphone to Seek Sexual Health Information Online Among Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM): Implications for mHealth Intervention to Increase HIV Testing and Reduce HIV Risks. Journal Of Community Health 2019, 45: 10-19. PMID: 31375976, PMCID: PMC6957731, DOI: 10.1007/s10900-019-00713-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSexual health informationHIV testingHealth informationOnline sexual health informationSexual partnersRecent HIV testingHigh-risk MSMHIV/STIsHIV risk behaviorsHIV prevention activitiesCross-sectional online surveyHealth Information OnlineMalaysian MSMSTI preventionIndependent correlatesGeosocial networking appsHIV riskMHealth interventionsMHealth strategiesMHealth toolsRisk behaviorsOlder ageLogistic regressionMSMPrevention activities