2024
A qualitative dyad analysis of barriers and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV in Kazakhstan
Neuenschwander P, Altice F, Remien R, Mergenova G, Sarsembayeva L, Rozental E, Gulyayev V, Davis A. A qualitative dyad analysis of barriers and facilitators of antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among people who inject drugs (PWID) with HIV in Kazakhstan. AIDS Care 2024, ahead-of-print: 1-10. PMID: 39404196, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2024.2414078.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAntiretroviral therapy adherenceSocial supportART adherenceFacilitators of ART adherenceBarriers to ART adherenceAntiretroviral therapyART adherence interventionsInjection drug useDyad analysisAdherence interventionsAdherence barriersLack of awarenessHIV epidemicAdherencePWIDDrug useHIVInterpersonal levelRelationship contextDyad membersFacilitationIndividual levelPWHDyadsIntimate partnersInterventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis
Macdonald C, Macpherson G, Leppan O, Tran L, Cunningham E, Hajarizadeh B, Grebely J, Farrell M, Altice F, Degenhardt L. Interventions to reduce harms related to drug use among people who experience incarceration: systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Public Health 2024, 9: e684-e699. PMID: 39214637, DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(24)00160-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentDrug useRisk behaviorsReducing re-arrestsTherapeutic community interventionsEffectiveness of interventionsRecidivism outcomesReduce injection risk behaviorExperience incarcerationRe-arrestIncarcerationService provisionRecidivismPrisonSystematic reviewCommunity interventionsSubstance useSelf-harmInjection risk behaviorsRandom-effects meta-analysesMeta-analysisAlcohol useSyringe sharingPooled odds ratioRisk of deathUsing nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers
Kronfli N, Lafferty L, Leone F, Stoové M, Hajarizadeh B, Lloyd A, Altice F. Using nominal group technique to identify perceived barriers and facilitators to improving uptake of the Prison Needle Exchange Program in Canadian federal prisons by correctional officers and healthcare workers. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2024, 130: 104540. PMID: 39079352, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104540.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchCorrectional officersCanadian federal prisonsFederal prisonsFear of beingNeedle exchange programsWrap-around servicesComplex application processCorrectional employeesFocus groupsPrisonNominal group techniquePerceived barriersAutomatic approvalFear of repercussionsHealthcare workersLack of confidentialityExchange programsSyringe programsOfficeDrug useCoverage of evidence-based interventionsCanadian effortsBloodborne virusesEvidence-based interventionsGroup technique
2023
Introducing methadone maintenance therapy into Ukrainian prisons: a qualitative study of criminal subculture, Russia’s full-scale invasion, and contested methadone objects
Ponticiello M, Azbel L, Tate M, Bromberg D, Pykalo I, Kiriazova T, Saichuk N, Altice F. Introducing methadone maintenance therapy into Ukrainian prisons: a qualitative study of criminal subculture, Russia’s full-scale invasion, and contested methadone objects. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2023, 14: 1227216. PMID: 38098632, PMCID: PMC10720714, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1227216.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPeople deprived of libertyNon-conflict regionsCriminal subcultureUkrainian prisonersPrison staffPrison authoritiesRussia’s full-scale invasionInvasion of UkraineFull-scale invasionIn-depth qualitative interviewsDrug usePrison subcultureRussia invaded UkrainePrison environmentFull-scale invasion of UkraineSocial tiesPrisonConflict zonesEastern EuropeMethadone uptakeQualitative interviewsSocial hierarchyOpioid agonist therapySocio-environmental factorsPrevent transmission of HIVEarly disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Pykalo I, Ivasiy R, Islam Z, Altice F. Early disruptions to syringe services programs during the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1229057. PMID: 38074770, PMCID: PMC10702598, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1229057.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSyringe service programsHIV prevention servicesHarm reduction servicesService programsWidespread HIV epidemicsSemi-structured interviewsIllicit drug usePreventive servicesHIV/AIDS preventionOutreach workersHIV epidemicReduction servicesClients transitionClient’s opennessHIV outbreakService provisionUnique clientsDrug useInterviewsPWIDHarmServicesNGO supportClientsInjection paraphernaliaLeveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Madden L, Stöver H, Teltzrow R, Altice F. Leveraging existing provider networks in Europe to eliminate barriers to accessing opioid agonist maintenance therapies for Ukrainian refugees. PLOS Global Public Health 2023, 3: e0002168. PMID: 37440470, PMCID: PMC10343058, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002168.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderAgonist maintenance therapyMaintenance therapyInjection drug usePrevention of HIVGold standard treatmentRisk of HIVHigh prevalence ratesCare continuityStandard treatmentPrevalence ratesUse disordersImplementation science lensDrug useHarm reductionTreatment modelHIVPatientsClinicTherapyAddiction treatment modelsTreatmentProvidersInvasionInterview participantsSubstance 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
The Initial Response to COVID-19 Disruptions for Older People with HIV in Ukraine
Rozanova J, Rich K, Altice F, Shenoi S, Zaviryukha I, Kiriazova T, Mamedova E, Shipunov O, Yariy V, Deac A, Zeziulin O. The Initial Response to COVID-19 Disruptions for Older People with HIV in Ukraine. Geriatrics 2022, 7: 138. PMID: 36547274, PMCID: PMC9777936, DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics7060138.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGeneralised anxiety disorderSymptoms of depressionSymptoms of anxietyHIV treatmentSevere depressionOlder peopleMental healthActive drug useSubstance use disordersFirth logistic regression modelHigher suicidal ideationLogistic regression modelsIndependent correlatesUse disordersTelehealth strategiesDrug useSuicidal ideationSymptomsHIVAnxiety disordersSubstance useDepressionStandardised scalesCOVID-19 restrictionsInitial responseReinfection and Risk Behaviors After Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Persons Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy : A Cohort Study.
Grebely J, Dore GJ, Altice FL, Conway B, Litwin AH, Norton BL, Dalgard O, Gane EJ, Shibolet O, Nahass R, Luetkemeyer AF, Peng CY, Iser D, Gendrano IN, Kelly MM, Hwang P, Asante-Appiah E, Haber BA, Barr E, Robertson MN, Platt H. Reinfection and Risk Behaviors After Treatment of Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Persons Receiving Opioid Agonist Therapy : A Cohort Study. Annals Of Internal Medicine 2022, 175: 1221-1229. PMID: 35939812, DOI: 10.7326/m21-4119.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyLong-term extension studyHCV reinfectionDrug useExtension studyAgonist therapySuccessful treatmentHepatitis C virus (HCV) reinfectionHepatitis C virus infectionBenefits of cureC virus infectionChronic HCV infectionRate of reinfectionUrine drug screeningOngoing drug useClinical trial sitesSubsidiary of MerckHCV infectionCohort studyVirus reinfectionDohme Corp.Treatment completionGenotype 1Virus infectionHigh riskMobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey
Shrestha R, Maviglia F, Altice FL, DiDomizio E, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim MAA, Wickersham JA. Mobile Health Technology Use and the Acceptability of an mHealth Platform for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Cross-sectional Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey. Journal Of Medical Internet Research 2022, 24: e36917. PMID: 35877172, PMCID: PMC9361153, DOI: 10.2196/36917.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention informationHIV preventionDrug usePrevention informationMalaysian menMHealth platformHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention toolHIV prevention servicesSexual activityReceptive anal sexMobile health interventionsHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthIllicit drug useSexualized drug useCross-sectional surveyAcceptability of mHealthHealth technology useSelf-administered questionnaireRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementDearth of evidencePrevention servicesMobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia
Maviglia F, Shrestha R, Altice F, DiDomizio L, Khati A, Mistler C, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Halim M, Wickersham J. Mobile Technology Use and Acceptability of mHealth for HIV Prevention Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39303. DOI: 10.2196/39303.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchAcceptability of mHealthHIV preventionMalaysian MSMHIV risk-related behaviorsHIV prevention needsHIV prevention servicesHIV prevention informationHIV prevention effortsCross-sectional surveyRespondent-driven samplingHealth-related informationSuboptimal engagementPrevention needsDearth of evidencePrevention servicesMHealth interventionsDrug useKey populationsMHealth strategiesRisk-related behaviorsDrug cravingPrevention informationPrevention effortsParticipant demographicsPreventionPrevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia
Pedersen CJ, Wickersham JA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A, Khoshnood K, Gibson BA, Khati A, Maviglia F, Shrestha R. Prevalence and Correlates of Active Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Use Among Female Sex Workers in Malaysia. Frontiers In Psychiatry 2022, 13: 879479. PMID: 35774093, PMCID: PMC9237260, DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.879479.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchFemale sex workersATS useSubstance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulantsUse disordersSevere substance use disordersAmphetamine-type stimulant useSex workersAdverse health outcomesLogistic regression analysisAdverse health consequencesSexual risk behaviorsBehavioral health issuesUse of drugsHarm reduction strategiesSex work clientsRespondent-driven samplingHIV transmissionMultivariable modelHigh prevalenceHealth outcomesDrug useSex workTransgender womenRisk behaviors
2021
Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis
Ward Z, Stone J, Bishop C, Ivakin V, Eritsyan K, Deryabina A, Low A, Cepeda J, Kelly SL, Heimer R, Cook R, Altice FL, Litz T, Terlikbayeva A, El-Bassel N, Havarkov D, Fisenka A, Boshnakova A, Klepikov A, Saliuk T, Deshko T, Vickerman P. Costs and impact on HIV transmission of a switch from a criminalisation to a public health approach to injecting drug use in eastern Europe and central Asia: a modelling analysis. The Lancet HIV 2021, 9: e42-e53. PMID: 34895484, PMCID: PMC8762142, DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(21)00274-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyAgonist therapyAntiretroviral therapyPublic health approachHIV transmissionDrug useDynamic HIV transmission modelHealth approachIncremental cost-effectiveness ratioHIV transmission modelNational InstituteCost-effectiveness ratioCountry-specific costsHIV incidenceUNAIDS 90US National InstitutesART coverageWHO targetPWIDTherapyPay thresholdsInfectious diseasesCost savingsDrug abuseIncremental costAssessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia
Krishnan A, Weikum D, Cravero C, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Assessing mobile technology use and mHealth acceptance among HIV-positive men who have sex with men and transgender women in Malaysia. PLOS ONE 2021, 16: e0248705. PMID: 33755693, PMCID: PMC7987189, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0248705.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsSuboptimal ART adherenceTransgender womenAntiretroviral therapyART adherenceHIV-positive MSMHIV-positive populationInjection drug useHIV-positive menAcceptability of mHealthRisky sexual behaviorHIV preventionTreatment strategiesUnsafe sexDrug useMHealth acceptanceExcellent accessMHealth platformSexual behaviorMenMobile healthSocietal stigmaSexMSMMHealth researchWomen
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 TestHIV
2019
Prisons: ignore them at our peril.
Kamarulzaman A, Verster A, Altice FL. Prisons: ignore them at our peril. Current Opinion In HIV And AIDS 2019, 14: 415-422. PMID: 31343458, PMCID: PMC7137098, DOI: 10.1097/coh.0000000000000572.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMedication-assisted therapyDrug useHIV prevention toolPrevalence of HIVMedication-assisted treatmentSyringe services programCriminal justice settingsBasic healthcareMiddle-income settingsHCV preventionOpioid dependenceTreatment strategiesHigh prevalenceOverdose managementRoutine screeningPrevention servicesHIVKey populationsMental healthcareHCVConsolidated guidelinesPrevention toolJustice settingsTreatmentEffective screeningRationale 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 evaluationAdherenceTreating opioid dependence with extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) in Ukraine: Feasibility and three-month outcomes
Makarenko I, Pykalo I, Springer SA, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Treating opioid dependence with extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX) in Ukraine: Feasibility and three-month outcomes. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2019, 104: 34-41. PMID: 31370983, PMCID: PMC8215516, DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2019.05.008.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid agonist treatmentXR-NTX injectionXR-NTX treatmentXR-NTXUrine drug testingOpioid useExtended-release naltrexoneMonths of treatmentThree-month outcomeHealth-related qualityAdverse side effectsSymptoms of depressionOpioid dependenceAgonist treatmentLife scoresTreatment optionsIndependent factorsSide effectsUse disordersPeriod of observationDrug useStimulant useTreatment motivationDrug testingImpact of Abstinence and of Reducing Illicit Drug Use Without Abstinence on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load
Nance RM, Trejo MEP, Whitney BM, Delaney JAC, Altice F, Beckwith CG, Chander G, Chandler R, Christopoulous K, Cunningham C, Cunningham WE, Del Rio C, Donovan D, Eron JJ, Fredericksen RJ, Kahana S, Kitahata MM, Kronmal R, Kuo I, Kurth A, Mathews WC, Mayer KH, Moore RD, Mugavero MJ, Ouellet LJ, Quan VM, Saag MS, Simoni JM, Springer S, Strand L, Taxman F, Young JD, Crane HM. Impact of Abstinence and of Reducing Illicit Drug Use Without Abstinence on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Viral Load. Clinical Infectious Diseases 2019, 70: 867-874. PMID: 30994900, PMCID: PMC7319266, DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciz299.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethamphetamine/crystalViral suppressionViral loadIllicit opioidsIllicit drug useDrug useRelative viral loadHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) viral loadNumber of PLWHSubstance useHIV viral loadHuman immunodeficiency virusLongitudinal cohort studyHarm reduction interventionsCrystal useCocaine/crackHIV clinicCohort studyVL suppressionImmunodeficiency virusImpact of abstinenceClinical studiesHigher oddsDrug categoriesOpioids
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 partner