2023
Barriers 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 stakeholdersPrEPProphylaxisMenSubstance 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
2022
Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial
Shrestha R, Wickersham J, Khati A, Azwa I, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Sullivan P, Jadkarim L, Eger W, Gautam K, Altice F. Clinic-Integrated Mobile Health Intervention (“JomPrEP” App) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Protocol for an Intervention Development and Multiphase Trial. JMIR Research Protocols 2022, 11: e43318. PMID: 36542425, PMCID: PMC9813821, DOI: 10.2196/43318.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention servicesHIV testingMalaysian MSMPhase IHIV preventionPrevention servicesLarge-scale efficacy trialsHIV prevention resourcesMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsCare delivery servicesHealth care delivery servicesMultiphase trialPrEP servicesMiddle-income countriesHIV epidemicEfficacy trialsTrial designPrevention strategiesEntrenched stigmaHealth outcomesReal-world settingHealth interventions
2020
The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Farnum SO, Makarenko I, Madden L, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Prokhorova T, Bojko MJ, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. The real‐world impact of dosing of methadone and buprenorphine in retention on opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine. Addiction 2020, 116: 83-93. PMID: 32428276, PMCID: PMC7674222, DOI: 10.1111/add.15115.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyOAT discontinuationAgonist therapyTreatment retentionIndependent predictorsHIV epidemicCost-effective HIV prevention strategyMethadone maintenance treatment patientsObservational longitudinal cohort studySpecialty addictions treatmentBuprenorphine maintenance treatmentHigh dosageHIV prevention strategiesLongitudinal cohort studyOpioid-dependent peopleTreatment discontinuationCohort studyMaintenance treatmentMale sexTreatment patientsPrevention strategiesDiscontinuationYounger ageCenter settingAddiction treatmentModeling Combination Hepatitis C Virus Treatment and Prevention Strategies in a Network of People Who Inject Drugs in the United States
Zelenev A, Li J, Shea P, Hecht R, Altice FL. Modeling Combination Hepatitis C Virus Treatment and Prevention Strategies in a Network of People Who Inject Drugs in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2020, 72: 755-763. PMID: 32060534, PMCID: PMC7935393, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciaa142.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programHepatitis C virus (HCV) treatmentC virus treatmentHCV prevalenceHCV microeliminationHCV TasPHCV treatmentPrevention strategiesVirus treatmentTasP strategyHigh HCV prevalenceMicroelimination of HCVHuman immunodeficiency virusHCV treatment coverageOAT coverageAgonist therapyImmunodeficiency virusTreatment coverageMicroeliminationPrevention impactPrevalenceComplimentary interventionsHCVPWIDFeasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
Shrestha R, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Sibilio B, Ranjit YS, Copenhaver MM. Feasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth-Based Approach as an HIV Prevention Strategy Among People Who Use Drugs on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. Patient Preference And Adherence 2020, 14: 107-118. PMID: 32021122, PMCID: PMC6971384, DOI: 10.2147/ppa.s236794.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV risk reductionHIV preventionText messaging servicePrimary HIV preventionHIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent peopleReminder text messagesWeekly text messagesPost-intervention assessmentRisk reductionForty HIVPrEP adherenceText messagesSMS remindersRisk groupsText remindersPrevention strategiesUnderserved populationsMHealth technologiesAcceptability studyHealth carePreventionProphylaxisPreliminary evidence
2019
Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study
Shrestha R, Altice FL, Sibilio B, Ssenyonjo J, Copenhaver MM. Rationale and design of an integrated bio-behavioral approach to improve adherence to pre-exposure prophylaxis and HIV risk reduction among opioid-dependent people who use drugs: The CHRP-BB study. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2019, 82: 77-84. PMID: 31229618, PMCID: PMC6639056, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2019.06.012.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBio-behavioral interventionHIV risk reductionOpioid-dependent peopleMethadone maintenance programPrEP adherenceHIV transmission risk reductionFirst prospective trialPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention strategiesOngoing drug useRisk reductionBehavioral skills modelProspective trialSecondary outcomesPrimary outcomeRisk reduction outcomesHIV riskWeek 20Prevention strategiesUnmet needDrug useHybrid type IBio-behavioral approachProcess evaluationAdherenceHIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy
LaMonaca K, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Azbel L, Morozova O, Altice FL. HIV, Drug Injection, and Harm Reduction Trends in Eastern Europe and Central Asia: Implications for International and Domestic Policy. Current Psychiatry Reports 2019, 21: 47. PMID: 31161306, PMCID: PMC6685549, DOI: 10.1007/s11920-019-1038-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapySyringe services programDrug injectionAntiretroviral therapyHIV epidemicEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesNew HIV casesHIV prevention strategiesHarm reduction programsAgonist therapyHIV incidenceHIV casesRecent FindingsThoughPrevention strategiesSexual partnersHIVInjectionTherapyReduction programsEpidemicPunitive drug lawsService programsMortalityCliniciansIncidence
2017
Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study
Zelenev A, Li J, Mazhnaya A, Basu S, Altice FL. Hepatitis C virus treatment as prevention in an extended network of people who inject drugs in the USA: a modelling study. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2017, 18: 215-224. PMID: 29153265, PMCID: PMC5860640, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(17)30676-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAntiviral AgentsChemopreventionCitiesComputer SimulationDisease Transmission, InfectiousFemaleHepatitis CHumansMaleMiddle AgedModels, StatisticalPrevalenceSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSurveys and QuestionnairesTime FactorsTreatment OutcomeUnited StatesYoung AdultConceptsBaseline HCV prevalenceHepatitis C virusHCV prevalenceInjection partnersPrevention strategiesTreatment coverageTransmission of HCVHepatitis C virus (HCV) treatmentHCV elimination strategySuccessful HCV treatmentC virus treatmentInjection drug usersHCV treatment coverageAdditional network memberHCV treatmentActing antiviralsC virusChronic infectionVirus treatmentDrug usersPrevalenceDrug abuseDrugsNational InstitutePreventionPhysician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia
Ferro EG, Culbert GJ, Wickersham JA, Marcus R, Steffen AD, Pauls HA, Westergaard RP, Lee CK, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Physician Decisions to Defer Antiretroviral Therapy in Key Populations: Implications for Reducing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Incidence and Mortality in Malaysia. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2017, 4: ofw219. PMID: 28480230, PMCID: PMC5414088, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw219.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHuman immunodeficiency virusT-cell countsAdvanced human immunodeficiency virusAntiretroviral therapyKey risk populationsKey populationsRisk populationsEvidence-based treatment guidelinesHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) incidenceClinician-level interventionsHypothetical clinical scenariosProportion of physiciansHigher CD4HIV patientsPhysician adherenceControl patientsTreatment guidelinesHIV incidenceImmunodeficiency virusART accessART coverageInternet-based surveyPhysicians' attitudesPrevention strategiesClinical scenarios
2016
The complex interplay of social networks, geography and HIV risk among Malaysian Drug Injectors: Results from respondent-driven sampling
Zelenev A, Long E, Bazazi AR, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. The complex interplay of social networks, geography and HIV risk among Malaysian Drug Injectors: Results from respondent-driven sampling. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2016, 37: 98-106. PMID: 27639995, PMCID: PMC5102779, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.08.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV statusHIV transmissionClean needlesRecent injection partnersHigh-risk populationRisk reduction interventionsTargeting of interventionsPublic health surveillanceRespondent-driven samplingInjection partnersHIV preventionHIV riskTreatment coverageDrug injectorsHIVPrevention strategiesPWIDHealth surveillanceGreater Kuala LumpurKuala LumpurInterventionSurveillanceImportant mechanismStatusPrevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners
Kamarulzaman A, Reid SE, Schwitters A, Wiessing L, El-Bassel N, Dolan K, Moazen B, Wirtz AL, Verster A, Altice FL. Prevention of transmission of HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in prisoners. The Lancet 2016, 388: 1115-1126. PMID: 27427456, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30769-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHepatitis B virusHepatitis C virusC virusB virusOpioid agonist therapySecondary prevention strategiesBlood-borne infectionsPrevalence of HIVOpioid use disorderPrevention of transmissionPublic health systemAgonist therapyEffective treatmentGeneral populationUse disordersPrevention strategiesPrisoner healthHealth systemInfectionHIVVirusTuberculosisAbsence of alternativesTherapyRisk environment
2015
The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model
Lima VD, Graf I, Beckwith CG, Springer S, Altice FL, Coombs D, Kim B, Messina L, Montaner JS, Spaulding A. The Impact of Implementing a Test, Treat and Retain HIV Prevention Strategy in Atlanta among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men with a History of Incarceration: A Mathematical Model. PLOS ONE 2015, 10: e0123482. PMID: 25905725, PMCID: PMC4408043, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123482.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevalenceNew infectionsCondom useSexual risk behavior changePrevalence of HIVHIV prevention strategiesCumulative numberRisk behavior changeHistory of incarcerationBlack menHIV incidenceHIV transmissionHIV epidemicPrevention strategiesPrevalenceInfectionMortalityMenPrison releaseBehavior changeStatus quo scenarioSexUnited StatesYearsSetting“Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Makarenko I, Marcus R, Dvoriak S, Islam Z, Altice FL. “Bureaucracy & Beliefs”: Assessing the barriers to accessing opioid substitution therapy by people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Drugs Education Prevention And Policy 2015, 22: 255-262. PMID: 27087758, PMCID: PMC4831711, DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2015.1016397.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid substitution therapySubstitution therapySide effectsEvidence-based HIV prevention strategiesOpioid-dependent PWIDHIV prevention strategiesMulti-level barriersImplementation science projectHIV preventionMethadone clientsTreatment accessWaiting listPWIDPrevention strategiesTreatment attitudesSocial marketing campaignFree treatmentTreatment slotsTreatmentPublic healthTherapyFocus group discussionsDrugsStructural barriersParticipants
2014
Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Taxman FS, Grishaev E, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2014, 148: 47-55. PMID: 25620732, PMCID: PMC4330127, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid substitution therapyHIV/AIDSSubstitution therapyEffective HIV prevention strategiesHIV prevention strategiesDrug intoleranceOpioid dependencePrevention treatmentPrevention strategiesSubsequent interventionsUkrainian prisonsHealth benefitsScientific evidenceDrug addictionTherapyPositive attitudesTreatmentAIDSAddictionPersonnel attitudesOverwhelming evidenceCriminal justice outcomesEffective formCustodial staffWorkers' attitudes
2000
Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando M, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. PMID: 11064506, DOI: 10.1097/00042560-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate modelPrevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users
Monterroso E, Hamburger M, Vlahov D, Jarlais D, Ouellet L, Altice F, Byers R, Kerndt P, Watters J, Bowser B, Fernando D, Holmberg S. Prevention of HIV Infection in Street-Recruited Injection Drug Users. JAIDS Journal Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes 2000, 25: 63-70. DOI: 10.1097/00126334-200009010-00009.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersDrug usersHIV infectionInitial serum specimensLarge multicity studyHIV prevention strategiesHIV infection riskHIV prevention programsSyringe exchange programsDrug treatment programsUse of needlesNew AIDSHIV acquisitionHIV serostatusHIV casesPrevention strategiesSerum specimensSex partnersInfection ratePrevention programsTreatment programInfection riskStandard questionnaireHIVMultivariate model