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 contentMenIntegrated Online-to-Offline Model of Care for HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial
Khati A, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Paudel K, Phiphatkhunarnon P, Lim S, Puniamurthy K, Altice F, Phanuphak N, Azwa I, Shrestha R. Integrated Online-to-Offline Model of Care for HIV Prevention and Treatment Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and a Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2024, 13: e60962. PMID: 39441624, PMCID: PMC11541154, DOI: 10.2196/60962.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPreferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study
Gautam K, Aguilar C, Paudel K, Dhakal M, Wickersham J, Acharya B, Sapkota S, Deuba K, Shrestha R. Preferences for mHealth Intervention to Address Mental Health Challenges Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Nepal: Qualitative Study. JMIR Human Factors 2024, 11: e56002. PMID: 38551632, PMCID: PMC11015371, DOI: 10.2196/56002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMediating 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 rateHIVDosingAn mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study
Gautam K, Paudel K, Jacobs J, Wickersham J, Ikhtiaruddin W, Azwa I, Saifi R, Lim S, Shrestha R. An mHealth-Delivered Sexual Harm Reduction Tool (PartyPack) for Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Usability Study. JMIR Formative Research 2023, 7: e48113. PMID: 37616034, PMCID: PMC10485720, DOI: 10.2196/48113.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHarm reduction toolSmartphone app-based interventionHIV prevention servicesApp-based interventionEvidence-based interventionsHarm reduction strategiesCondomless sexPrevention servicesLarger sample sizeGroup sexUnderserved populationsPsychoactive drugsExit interviewsChemsexMost participantsMenSexMalaysian menMobile healthParticipantsInterventionTotalAcceptabilityMHealthSexual experienceChemsex 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 stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMen
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 accessFormative 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 errorsPerspectives 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
2019
Influence of Stigma on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum Among Men and Transwomen Who Have Sex with Men (MTWSM) in the United States.
Ssenyonjo J, Shrestha R, Copenhaver M. Influence of Stigma on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Care Continuum Among Men and Transwomen Who Have Sex with Men (MTWSM) in the United States. International Journal Of HIV/AIDS Prevention Education And Behavioural Science 2019, 5: 134-140. PMID: 38827018, PMCID: PMC11140821, DOI: 10.11648/j.ijhpebs.20190502.18.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2017
An explanatory factor analysis of a brief self-report scale to detect neurocognitive impairment among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Weikum D, Shrestha R, Ferro EG, Vagenas P, Copenhaver M, Spudich S, Alpert MD, Cabello R, Lama JR, Sanchez J, Altice FL. An explanatory factor analysis of a brief self-report scale to detect neurocognitive impairment among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. AIDS Care 2017, 29: 1297-1301. PMID: 28449599, PMCID: PMC6337065, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1322681.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive menNeuropsychological Impairment ScaleNeurocognitive impairmentTransgender womenAntiretroviral therapyHIV-positive MSMPoor clinical outcomeHIV risk behaviorsClinical care settingsHealth-related outcomesExploratory factor analysisART adherenceClinical outcomesPatient populationCare settingsImpairment ScaleRisk behaviorsImpairmentMenPrincipal axis factoringSelf-report scalesOrthogonal varimax rotationWomenBrief self-report scaleOutcomesA 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
The Use of Female Sex Workers Among Men in Nepal: Prevalence, STIs/HIV-Related Risk Behaviors, and Gender Ideology
Shrestha R, Karki P, Copenhaver M. The Use of Female Sex Workers Among Men in Nepal: Prevalence, STIs/HIV-Related Risk Behaviors, and Gender Ideology. Primary Prevention Insights 2016, 6: 11-17. PMID: 27358577, PMCID: PMC4922505, DOI: 10.4137/ppri.s39664.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersSexual contactRisk behaviorsMultivariate logistic regression modelHistory of STISex workersCigarette smoking statusHealth Survey 2011HIV prevention effortsPrevalence of useMale clientsLogistic regression modelsEarly sexual debutRegression modelsSmoking statusSexual partnersSexual debutWealth indexPrevention effortsHeterosexual sexMenEducational levelPrevalenceTotal sampleEmployment status