2024
Characterizing a syndemic: STI symptoms, substance use & violence among incarcerated Peruvian women
Hashemi E, Cyrus E, Turpin R, Bazo A, Morgan-Lopez A, Scheidell J, Leon S, Altice F, Sciaudone M, Dyer T. Characterizing a syndemic: STI symptoms, substance use & violence among incarcerated Peruvian women. European Journal Of Public Health 2024, 34: ckae144.1502. PMCID: PMC11517018, DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.1502.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchIncarcerated womenSubstance useInterpersonal violenceSexually transmitted infection symptomsIncreased rates of incarcerationSexually transmitted infectionsExperiences of interpersonal violenceRates of incarcerationSTI symptomsLatent profile analysisViolenceLatent classesAt-risk populationsIncarcerationPrisonPeruvian womenEpidemiological dataSexual behaviorSymptomsLogistic regressionWomenBivariate analysisLatent profile analysis modelSubstancesIncreased rate
2023
Substance use and other correlates of HIV infection among transwomen and men who have sex with men in Perú: Implications for targeted HIV prevention strategies for transwomen
Cyrus E, Lama J, Sanchez J, Sullivan D, Leon S, Villaran M, Vagenas P, Vu D, Coudray M, Altice F. Substance use and other correlates of HIV infection among transwomen and men who have sex with men in Perú: Implications for targeted HIV prevention strategies for transwomen. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0001464. PMID: 36962933, PMCID: PMC10022005, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0001464.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV risk factorsRisk factorsHIV riskSubstance usePrevention strategiesCross-sectional biobehavioral surveyHIV prevention strategiesTargeted prevention strategiesDifferent risk factorsSubstance use patternsBinary logistic regressionHIV infectionHIV prevalenceBiobehavioral surveysHigh prevalenceChi-square analysisSecondary data analysisHigh riskDrug useAlcohol dependenceCocaine useLogistic regressionMSMClinical researchRelated correlates
2021
Purposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs
Chandra DK, Altice FL, Copenhaver MM, Zhou X, Didomizio E, Shrestha R. Purposeful Fentanyl Use and Associated Factors among Opioid-Dependent People Who Inject Drugs. Substance Use & Misuse 2021, 56: 979-987. PMID: 33769199, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2021.1901931.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent PWIDFentanyl useOpioid-dependent peopleIndependent correlatesSevere depressionSex-related risk behaviorsMethadone-maintained patientsMultivariable logistic regressionOpioid-related mortalityRecent cocaine useCross-sectional surveySelf-reported drugMethadone dosageYoung PWIDDaily injectionsMethadone clinicsAssociated FactorsFentanyl exposureHigh prevalencePWIDSynthetic opioidsCocaine useYounger ageRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionCorrelates of newly diagnosed HIV infection among cisgender women sex workers and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wang M, Lim SH, Gibson BA, Azwa I, Guadamuz TE, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Correlates of newly diagnosed HIV infection among cisgender women sex workers and transgender women sex workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2021, 32: 609-619. PMID: 33752518, DOI: 10.1177/0956462420970417.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV infectionCisgender women sex workersWomen sex workersSex workersTransgender women sex workersMultivariable logistic regressionCondomless vaginal sexDetection of HIVUnique vulnerabilitiesHIV/Infection screeningHIVVaginal sexInfectionLogistic regressionEcstasy/MDMALower likelihoodLifetime useMost participantsKuala LumpurUnderstudied populationCorrelatesSex workers' experiencesPopulationChlamydiaWillingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment
Ni Z, Altice FL, Wickersham JA, Copenhaver MM, DiDomizio EE, Nelson LE, Shrestha R. Willingness to initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and its use among opioid-dependent individuals in drug treatment. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2021, 219: 108477. PMID: 33422864, PMCID: PMC7946167, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108477.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid-dependent individualsPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP useHIV riskHealthcare providersSex-related risk behaviorsMultivariable logistic regression analysisAwareness of PrEPUrban methadone clinicMultiple logistic regressionDisproportionate HIV burdenLogistic regression analysisCross-sectional surveyHIV burdenHIV infectionHIV testingIndependent correlatesMethadone clinicsDrug treatmentRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPrEPPrevious useHigher likelihoodProphylaxis
2020
Hazardous alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy receipt, and viral suppression in people living with HIV who inject drugs in the United States, India, Russia, and Vietnam.
Wagman JA, Wynn A, Matsuzaki M, Gnatienko N, Metsch LR, Del Rio C, Feaster DJ, Nance RM, Whitney BM, Delaney JAC, Kahana SY, Crane HM, Chandler RK, Elliott JC, Altice F, Lucas GM, Mehta SH, Hirsch-Moverman Y, El-Sadr WM, Vu Q, Nguyen Thanh B, Springer SA, Tsui JI, Samet JH. Hazardous alcohol use, antiretroviral therapy receipt, and viral suppression in people living with HIV who inject drugs in the United States, India, Russia, and Vietnam. AIDS 2020, 34: 2285-2294. PMID: 33048870, PMCID: PMC7951611, DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000002716.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHazardous alcohol useFormer injection drug useART receiptViral suppressionInjection drug useLow-middle income countriesAlcohol useAntiretroviral therapyMiddle-income countriesDrug useAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) scoresHIV viral suppressionAlcohol Use Disorders Identification TestDisorders Identification TestTherapy receiptHIV continuumMean ageHigh-income countriesCare outcomesLogistic regressionUpper middle-income countriesPLHIVDrugsIdentification TestHIVWillingness to Use HIV Self-Testing and Associated Factors Among Transgender Women in Malaysia
Shrestha R, Galka JM, Azwa I, Lim SH, Guadamuz TE, Altice FL, Wickersham JA. Willingness to Use HIV Self-Testing and Associated Factors Among Transgender Women in Malaysia. Transgender Health 2020, 5: 182-190. PMID: 32923668, PMCID: PMC7480722, DOI: 10.1089/trgh.2019.0085.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransgender womenSex work clientsKey populationsMultivariable logistic regressionImplementation of HIVHIV Self-TestingCurrent depressive symptomsCross-sectional surveyCorrelates of willingnessHIV screeningHIV infectionMultivariable analysisAssociated FactorsDirect referralCondomless sexHigh riskDepressive symptomsHIVSTLogistic regressionCommunity-based organizationsWomenAdditional researchStaff membersParticipantsSelf-Testing
2019
Self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load in criminal justice-involved populations
Cunningham WE, Nance RM, Golin CE, Flynn P, Knight K, Beckwith CG, Kuo I, Spaulding A, Taxman FS, Altice F, Delaney JA, Crane HM, Springer SA. Self-reported antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load in criminal justice-involved populations. BMC Infectious Diseases 2019, 19: 913. PMID: 31664910, PMCID: PMC6819597, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4443-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsViral loadART adherenceAdherence measuresSelf-reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherenceCriminal justice-involved populationsSelf-reported ART adherenceLogistic regressionSelf-reported health statusContinuum of HIVDetectable viral loadPlasma viral loadAIDS Research NetworkAntiretroviral therapy adherenceAssociation of adherenceHealth status levelsVisual analog scaleViral load dataMixed-effects logistic regressionMixed effects linear regressionEffects linear regressionJustice-involved populationsEffects logistic regressionVL outcomesCD4 countART dosesUse 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 activitiesHIV-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
Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru
Rich KM, Wickersham JA, Huamaní J, Kiani SN, Cabello R, Elish P, Arce J, Pizzicato LN, Soria J, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Factors Associated with HIV Viral Suppression Among Transgender Women in Lima, Peru. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 477-483. PMID: 30874476, PMCID: PMC6306649, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2017.0186.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV-positive transgender womenViral suppressionTransgender womenUse disordersViral suppression ratesHIV viral suppressionMultivariable logistic regressionAdverse health outcomesSubstance use disordersAlcohol use disorderSevere drug useUse of drugsHIV statusSubstance disordersHigh burdenHigh prevalenceCondomless sexPsychiatric disordersAnal sexFactors AssociatedHealth outcomesDrug useHIV researchLogistic regressionLast partnerCorrelates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Rutledge R, Morozova O, Gibson BA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Wickersham JA. Correlates of Recent HIV Testing Among Transgender Women in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. LGBT Health 2018, 5: 484-493. PMID: 30481120, PMCID: PMC6306652, DOI: 10.1089/lgbt.2018.0021.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrimary care providersRecent HIV testingHIV testingTransgender womenLogistic regressionHIV/AIDS StrategyCorrelates of HIVPrevious depression diagnosisJoint United Nations ProgrammeHIV testing historyBehavioral risk factorsMultivariate logistic regressionYears of ageMental health functioningBivariate logistic regressionUnited Nations ProgrammeHIV statusHIV treatmentRisk factorsHIV epidemicDepression diagnosisAIDS StrategyAmphetamine useCare providersPrevention servicesPerceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Rozanova J, Morozova O, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg JM, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Perceptions of Health-Related Community Reentry Challenges among Incarcerated Drug Users in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Journal Of Urban Health 2018, 95: 508-522. PMID: 29728898, PMCID: PMC6095752, DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0256-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentSubstance use disordersUse disordersMethadone treatmentDrug usersPoor general healthGeneral health conditionPerception of healthAgonist treatmentDrug injectionGeneral healthHigh prevalenceHealth needsHealth-related tasksLogistic regressionMethadoneHealth conditionsPre-release planningDisordersTreatmentPublic healthTotal samplePrison settingDrugsHealth
2017
Willingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Madden L, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Willingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 45: 56-63. PMID: 28628853, PMCID: PMC5533603, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid-dependent peopleAgonist treatmentCurrent opioid agonist treatmentCross-sectional nationwide surveyMonthly incomeMultivariate logistic regressionIndependent predictorsPWIDKruskal-Wallis testPsychosocial counselingPrevious unsuccessful attemptsYounger ageLogistic regressionDependent peopleHigher incomeOne-way ANOVANationwide surveyDrugsContinuous variablesFamily supportTreatmentLarge percentageBetter access
2016
Determinants of willingness to enroll in opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Polonsky M, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Filippovych S, Springer S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Determinants of willingness to enroll in opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2016, 165: 213-220. PMID: 27370527, PMCID: PMC5094181, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.011.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentAdjusted odds ratioOpioid use disorderAgonist treatmentUse disordersSignificant adjusted odds ratiosMultivariable logistic regressionHIV-negative statusPatient-level interventionsOpioid-dependent peopleInjection frequencyHIV statusOdds ratioRecent overdoseIndependent factorsPWIDLogistic regressionPrevious imprisonmentHigher injection frequencySignificant correlatesPrior incarcerationFamily supportDisordersDrugsIntervention
2015
Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected male prisoners in Indonesia: A highly constrained choice
Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Iriyanti M, Muchransyah AP, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Within-prison drug injection among HIV-infected male prisoners in Indonesia: A highly constrained choice. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 149: 71-79. PMID: 25659895, PMCID: PMC5108518, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.01.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrison drug injectionDrug injectionNeedle sharingDaily drug injectionsIncarceration of peopleDrug use changesSubstance use disordersHigh-risk behaviorsMale prisonersVoice-recorded interviewsHalf of participantsHIV transmissionHIV treatmentMultivariate correlatesUse disordersHIVDrug usersMultivariate analysisRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionStigmatizing attitudesDrug availabilityDrug cravingAddiction treatmentDrug supply
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
High rates of unprotected anal intercourse with regular and casual partners and associated risk factors in a sample of ethnic Malay men who have sex with men (MSM) in Penang, Malaysia
Lim SH, Bazazi AR, Sim C, Choo M, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A. High rates of unprotected anal intercourse with regular and casual partners and associated risk factors in a sample of ethnic Malay men who have sex with men (MSM) in Penang, Malaysia. Sexually Transmitted Infections 2013, 89: 642. PMID: 23787168, DOI: 10.1136/sextrans-2012-050995.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsUnprotected anal intercourseHIV testingCasual partnersAnal intercourseMalay menSexual partnersPrior HIV testingRapid HIV testingMultivariate logistic regressionRegular sexual partnersHIV risk behaviorsCasual sexual partnersFuture prevention effortsSexual negotiation skillsHIV seropositivityRisk factorsHIV preventionCasual partnershipsRegular partnersPrevention servicesMalay ethnicityRisk reduction practicesMultivariate analysisRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionHigh rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes
Izenberg JM, Bachireddy C, Soule M, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. High rates of police detention among recently released HIV-infected prisoners in Ukraine: Implications for health outcomes. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2013, 133: 154-160. PMID: 23769160, PMCID: PMC3786010, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.018.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyAntiretroviral therapyHIV transmissionHIV epidemicHigh-risk injection practicesSignificant independent correlatesMedication interruptionOST treatmentART prescriptionAdverse eventsSubstitution therapyIndependent correlatesWithdrawal symptomsMale genderEssential medicationsInjection practicesHealth outcomesLogistic regressionHIVPublic healthTherapyHigh rateHealthCorrelatesParticipantsBeing Unaware of Being HIV-Infected is Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Peru
Vagenas P, Ludford KT, Gonzales P, Peinado J, Cabezas C, Gonzales F, Lama JR, Sanchez J, Altice FL, for the Peruvian HIV Sentinel Surveillance Working Group. Being Unaware of Being HIV-Infected is Associated with Alcohol Use Disorders and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among Men Who have Sex with Men in Peru. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 120-127. PMID: 23670711, PMCID: PMC3796203, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0504-2.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderHigh-risk sexual behaviorHIV infectionUse disordersMultivariate logistic regressionUnprotected anal intercourseSexual behaviorHIV-InfectedHIV statusSyphilis testingHIV riskAnal intercourseTherapy interventionHIVLogistic regressionMenLast encounterSexInfectionDisordersParticipantsRisk assessmentMSMPeruvian citiesMonths