2024
Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures
Kim J, Lee J, Thornhill T, Dennett J, Lu H, Howell B, Grau L, Fiellin D, Heimer R, Gonsalves G. Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e240209. PMID: 38376839, PMCID: PMC10879949, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0209.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsTransit travel timeAccessibility metricsTravel timeTravel componentsAccessibility scoresTransportation burdenTravel burdenOut-of-vehicleComponents of travelConventional accessibility measuresSpatial regression modelsTravel time measurementsPublic transitTransit schedulesAccessibility measuresDeparture timeTravel time analysisTrip durationTravelOperating hoursTime analysisCross-sectional studyOpioid use disorderPolicy recommendationsDecision-making
2023
Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018
Marotta P, Hass A, Viera A, Doernberg M, Barbour R, Grau L, Heimer R. Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2023, 18: 43. PMID: 37420271, PMCID: PMC10329353, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00541-2.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors
Heimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-medical opioid useChronic painHepatitis BOpioid useSerological testingDrug injectorsCo-occurring chronic painCurrent chronic painInjection drug useInjection drug usersCross-sectional studyInfectious disease treatmentSignificant complicationsSuccessful treatmentMonths durationOpioid overdosePharmaceutical opioidsDrug treatmentStudy populationPainDrug usersPsychological statusDrug useOlder agePast month
2014
Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities
Bowman S, Grau LE, Singer M, Scott G, Heimer R. Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities. BMC Public Health 2014, 14: 820. PMID: 25107530, PMCID: PMC4138371, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-820.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersSyringe exchange programsThree-dose vaccine seriesVaccine seriesVaccination ratesDrug usersHealth interventionsStandard HBV vaccination scheduleBackgroundHepatitis B virusHBV vaccination scheduleVaccine series completionVaccine-preventable infectionsSelf-rated health scoresPublic health interventionsDeterminants of completionHepatitis vaccinationVaccine scheduleVaccination schedulePersonal health statusLast visitLongstanding recommendationsPreventable infectionsB virusHealth beliefsHealth scores
2013
Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups
Hayes-Larson E, Grau LE, Khoshnood K, Barbour R, Khuat OT, Heimer R. Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups. Harm Reduction Journal 2013, 10: 33. PMID: 24268108, PMCID: PMC4176489, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-33.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug user groupsResult of membershipDomains of knowledgeInjection-related harmsLongitudinal studyGreater historyDrug usePost-hoc evaluationMembershipLow statistical powerFurther longitudinal studiesQuality of lifeUser groupsFaceHigh levelsPeersMore attentionHealth issuesMultivariate modelBeingHarm reductionDrug usersKnowledge variablesHarmVariablesSeroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population.
Akselrod H, Grau LE, Barbour R, Heimer R. Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population. American Journal Of Public Health 2013, 104: 1713-21. PMID: 24134382, PMCID: PMC3990658, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301357.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjection drug usersHepatitis B virusDrug use durationSubstance abuse treatmentB virusRisk factorsCriminal justice involvementDrug usersAbuse treatmentAdult injection drug usersSeroprevalence of HIVInjection drug usePotential risk factorsSignificant predictorsUse durationMultiple viral infectionsEffective harm reduction strategiesHarm reduction strategiesJustice involvementHCV seroprevalenceInjection useInterim analysisViral infectionDrug useSerological testsAssociations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA
Heimer R, Barbour R, Palacios WR, Nichols LG, Grau LE. Associations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 452-463. PMID: 23921583, PMCID: PMC3917972, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0572-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultConnecticutDrug UsersFemaleHarm ReductionHealth Services AccessibilityHumansInterviews as TopicLongitudinal StudiesMaleNeedle SharingPrevalenceResidence CharacteristicsRisk FactorsSocial EnvironmentSocioeconomic FactorsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSubstance-Related DisordersSuburban Health ServicesSuburban PopulationYoung AdultConceptsHarm reduction servicesInjection riskReduction servicesAbuse treatmentInjection drug useInjection drug usersRisky injection practicesPoor social supportDisadvantaged census tractsSubstance abuse treatmentDrug abuse treatmentPatterns of heroinRespondent-driven samplingHepatitis BInfluence of residenceSevere depressionOpioid overdosesSerological testingOverdose deathsGeneral populationInjection practicesDrug usersDrug useYounger ageRisk behaviors
2011
Inebriation, Drinking Motivations and Sexual Risk Taking Among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients in St. Petersburg, Russia
Abdala N, Grau LE, Zhan W, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Kozlov AP, Krasnoselskikh TV. Inebriation, Drinking Motivations and Sexual Risk Taking Among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS And Behavior 2011, 17: 1144-1150. PMID: 22139416, PMCID: PMC3585957, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0091-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNon-main partnersRisk drinkingUnprotected sexSexual partnersSexual riskDisease clinic patientsAlcohol Use Disorders Identification Test criteriaMultivariate logistic regressionHIV prevention programsSexual risk behaviorsConsumption of alcoholSTD clinicClinic patientsDrinking motivationsPrevention programsRisk behaviorsLogistic regressionPatientsBehavior SurveySexInebriationSexual encountersDrinkingRiskClinicChronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine
Heimer R, Dasgupta N, Irwin KS, Kinzly M, Harvey AP, Givens A, Grau LE. Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine. Addictive Behaviors 2011, 37: 346-349. PMID: 22138379, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.017.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAddiction Severity IndexBrief Pain InventoryChronic painOpioid abuseBPI scoresMisuse of opioidsCommon co-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatment programsCommunity-based sampleCo-occurring conditionsSubstance abuse treatmentStreet-recruited sampleOrder of onsetRespondent-driven samplingPain InventoryPain managementIllicit opioidsOpioid misuseRegular physicianOpioid abusersDaily livingPainDrug misusePrior monthTreatment program
2010
Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007
Green TC, Grau LE, Carver HW, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 115: 221-228. PMID: 21131140, PMCID: PMC3095753, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.007.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsPrescription opioidsOpioid typeIntoxication deathsRisk factorsDrug intoxication deathsHeroin-related deathsOpioid-related deathsFatal opioid overdoseChief Medical ExaminerOpioid intoxicationOpioid deathsDrug poisoningInjury deathsEpidemiologic trendsOpioid overdoseOpioidsDeath locationPrevention effortsDeathMedical examinersRegression analysisSignificant increasePublic healthEpidemiologyHeroinDrug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability
Cepeda JA, Odinokova VA, Heimer R, Grau LE, Lyubimova A, Safiullina L, Levina OS, Niccolai LM. Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 1003-1010. PMID: 20872063, PMCID: PMC3112286, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9816-7.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation
Grau LE, White E, Niccolai LM, Toussova OV, Verevochkin SV, Kozlov AP, Heimer R. HIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 45-57. PMID: 20700645, PMCID: PMC3023022, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9775-z.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPrevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies
Green TC, Bluthenthal RN, Singer M, Beletsky L, Grau LE, Marshall P, Heimer R. Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 111: 74-81. PMID: 20537814, PMCID: PMC3087197, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.022.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsSEP usersSEP useThree-City cohort studyPolicy change analysisSyringe exchange usePredictors of transitionSecondary syringe exchangePolice contactCohort studyFemale sexHIV riskSyringe availabilityExchange useSyringe exchangeDrug usersDrug paraphernaliaHealth interventionsUS citiesLatino ethnicityIDUsPolicyContextual factorsMultinomial regressionTypology[The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections].
Iliuk R, Krupitskiĭ E, Torban M, Kozlov A, Blinnikova K, Heimer R, Green T, Grau L. [The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections]. S S Korsakov Journal Of Neurology And Psychiatry 2010, 110: 33-43. PMID: 21322146.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid overdose riskMore health problemsNonfatal overdosesRole of alcoholDrug injectionOverdose riskEarly diagnosisComorbid disordersOverdose preventionSomatic disordersHealth problemsOverdoseLonger abstinenceMental disordersOverdose situationsDeath casesDisordersSufficient helpOverdosesAdditional predictorsFamily psychotherapyDrug qualityHigher numberDiagnosisAbstinence
2008
Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia
Green TC, Grau LE, Blinnikova KN, Torban M, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov A, Heimer R. Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2008, 20: 270-276. PMID: 18774283, PMCID: PMC2696401, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.07.002.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsDrug usersRisk behaviorsIntervention feasibilityOpioid overdosesModerate-risk behaviorAbstinence-based treatmentMost drug usersOpioid injectorsSuboptimal responseOverdose response trainingTreatment modalitiesCommon causeOverdose riskNaloxone distributionOverdose mortalityModifiable aspectsAmbulance staffRisk environmentOverdosesTreatment providersMortalityStructural interventionsKey informant interviewsMore ambulancesIntervention
2007
Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”?
Grau LE, Dasgupta N, Harvey A, Irwin K, Givens A, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”? American Journal On Addictions 2007, 16: 166-173. PMID: 17612819, DOI: 10.1080/10550490701375293.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2006
Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts
Heimer R, Grau LE, Curtin E, Khoshnood K, Singer M. Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts. American Journal Of Public Health 2006, 97: 110-116. PMID: 17138916, PMCID: PMC1716244, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2005.078105.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultAIDS SerodiagnosisBlood-Borne PathogensDiagnostic ServicesEquipment ContaminationFemaleHealth EducationHIV SeropositivityHIV SeroprevalenceHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsProgram EvaluationPublic Health AdministrationSubstance Abuse, IntravenousSyringesUnited StatesUrban Health ServicesConceptsUrban injection drug usersInjection drug usersHIV testingDrug usersUndetected infectionsHIV prevention strategiesExtent of HIVTime-location samplingSecondary preventionDrug treatmentSyringe exchangeHIVPrevention effortsCurrent optionsInfectionChain referralVast majorityTestingReferralPreventionWomen
2005
Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange Programs
Grau LE, Bluthenthal RN, Marshall P, Singer M, Heimer R. Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange Programs. AIDS And Behavior 2005, 9: 495-504. PMID: 16237501, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-005-9020-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe exchange programsHIV risk characteristicsC virus infectionHIV prevention messagesOnly psychosocial factorHepatitis BObservational studyVirus infectionDrug injectorsPsychosocial factorsInjection sitePrevention messagesRisk profilePsychosocial characteristicsReported historyFuture interventionsStudy sampleIDUsExchange programsProgram effectivenessHIVRisk characteristicsInfection
2004
Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities
Bluthenthal RN, Malik MR, Grau LE, Singer M, Marshall P, Heimer R, Team T. Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities. Addiction 2004, 99: 1136-1146. PMID: 15317634, DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00694.x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2002
Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic.
Grau LE, Arevalo S, Catchpool C, Heimer R. Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic. American Journal Of Public Health 2002, 92: 1915-7. PMID: 12453808, PMCID: PMC1447352, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.92.12.1915.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAbscessAdultAgedAttitude of Health PersonnelCommunity NetworksFemaleHarm ReductionHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPatient Education as TopicPreventive Health ServicesProgram EvaluationSan FranciscoSexual BehaviorSoft Tissue InfectionsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousWound Infection