2019
Evaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine
Ranjit YS, Azbel L, Krishnan A, Altice FL, Meyer JP. Evaluation of HIV risk and outcomes in a nationally representative sample of incarcerated women in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. AIDS Care 2019, 31: 793-797. PMID: 30701981, PMCID: PMC6510603, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1573969.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAntiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveAzerbaijanCommunicable DiseasesComorbidityContinuity of Patient CareFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHepatitis CHIV InfectionsHumansKyrgyzstanMaleMental DisordersMiddle AgedPrevalencePrisonersPrisonsSubstance-Related DisordersSurveys and QuestionnairesSyphilisUkraineConceptsAlcohol use disorderAntiretroviral therapyHIV preventionHIV riskHIV care continuumCells/μLHigh-risk groupComorbid substance useEffective HIV preventionGlobal HIV preventionHigh rateHepatitis CIncarcerated womenHIV testingHIV incidenceHIV prevalencePsychiatric comorbidityDrug injectionRepresentative sampleCare continuumRisk groupsPsychiatric disordersMost womenUse disordersTreatment interventions
2017
Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Wickersham JA, Gibson BA, Bazazi AR, Pillai V, Pedersen CJ, Meyer JP, El-Bassel N, Mayer KH, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Cisgender and Transgender Women Sex Workers in Greater Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Sexually Transmitted Diseases 2017, 44: 663-670. PMID: 28708696, PMCID: PMC5636657, DOI: 10.1097/olq.0000000000000662.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransgender women sex workersHuman immunodeficiency virusInconsistent condom useCisgender women sex workersHIV prevalenceImmunodeficiency virusSex workersWomen sex workersDrug useCondom useHigh human immunodeficiency virusGlobal HIV prevalenceLast HIV testLifetime HIV testingPooled HIV prevalenceRespondent-driven samplingSTI prevalenceHIV testHIV burdenHIV testingMedian timeSTI preventionΧ testChlamydia trachomatisIndependent sample t-testActive syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru
Pizzicato LN, Vagenas P, Gonzales P, Lama JR, Pun M, Sanchez J, Altice FL. Active syphilis and its association with HIV and sexual risk behaviours in a multicity sample of men who have sex with men and transgender women in Peru. Sexual Health 2017, 14: 304-312. PMID: 28514994, DOI: 10.1071/sh16149.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsActive syphilis infectionActive syphilisIndependent correlatesSyphilis infectionTransgender womenRisk factorsRecent sexRecent sex workSignificant independent correlatesReceptive anal intercourseFemale partnersRecent drug useSexual risk behaviorsTreatment of syphilisBackground SyphilisTGW populationPresent studySyphilis testingSyphilis screeningTransmissible infectionsSyphilis diagnosisHigh prevalenceStratified analysisSyphilis epidemicAge 35
2016
Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia
Bick J, Culbert G, Al-Darraji HA, Koh C, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia. International Journal Of Prison Health 2016, 12: 253-269. PMID: 27921633, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHealth needsLatent tuberculosis infectionCo-morbid conditionsBurden of illnessComprehensive health assessmentHepatitis C virusComplex health needsSerious public health threatPublic health threatCD4 monitoringHIV careTuberculosis infectionHIV statusPhysical examinationC virusUntreated syphilisMale prisonersTobacco useHIVDisease comorbiditiesMalaysian adultsStructured historyHealthcare resourcesDrug useTrials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine
Azbel L, Grishaev Y, Wickersham JA, Chernova O, Dvoryak S, Polonsky M, Altice FL. Trials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine. International Journal Of Prison Health 2016, 12: 78-87. PMID: 27219905, PMCID: PMC5513812, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-10-2014-0041.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsFormer Soviet UnionHarsh prison sentencesDesign/methodology/approach Qualitative interviewsCriminal justice systemUkrainian prisonsJustice systemPrison sentencesOriginality/valueSoviet UnionBio-behavioural surveyPrisonSpecific contextDepartment involvementAdministrative staffUkraineImplementation scienceHIV epidemicIntersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment
Azbel L, Polonsky M, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Asanov A, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 9-20. PMID: 27455177, PMCID: PMC5124506, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug injectionHIV infectionLifetime drug injectionPrison drug injectionHIV care continuumAntiretroviral therapy coverageConfidence intervalsMean numberEpidemic of HIVHealth assessment surveyUndiagnosed syphilisSyphilis infectionConsented participantsHIV incidenceHIV transmissionIndependent correlatesWeighted prevalenceEvidence-based responsesHIV epidemicCare continuumDuration of imprisonmentHIV preventionHealth SurveyAIDS mortalityHIV
2015
Burden of substance use disorders, mental illness, and correlates of infectious diseases among soon-to-be released prisoners in Azerbaijan
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Suleymanov M, Ismayilov R, Dvoryak S, Rotberga S, Altice FL. Burden of substance use disorders, mental illness, and correlates of infectious diseases among soon-to-be released prisoners in Azerbaijan. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 68-75. PMID: 25861943, PMCID: PMC4447560, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.034.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyDrug injectionInfectious diseasesPrevalence of HCVSignificant independent correlatesLow HIV prevalenceHigh-endemic countriesHigh diagnostic rateEvidence-based addiction treatmentSubstance use disordersHealth assessment surveyHCV epidemicHepatitis BHCV diagnosisHIV statusHIV prevalenceART coverageHIV treatmentIndependent correlatesNew medicationsHIV epidemicHeterosexual riskHealth SurveyEndemic countriesHIV
2013
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
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 citiesMonthsBurden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community
Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Grishaev Y, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Burden of Infectious Diseases, Substance Use Disorders, and Mental Illness among Ukrainian Prisoners Transitioning to the Community. PLOS ONE 2013, 8: e59643. PMID: 23527238, PMCID: PMC3602355, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSubstance use disordersUse disordersInfectious diseasesHealth SurveyTreatment needsPrevalence of HIVContinuity of careAlcohol use disorderEpidemic of incarcerationHealth assessment surveyMultiple substance useViral hepatitisHIV incidenceHIV statusHIV prevalenceDrug injectionHIV epidemicHIV preventionSerological testingHealth StudyMental illnessHIVSubstance usePrevalenceDisease