2023
1901. High Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Malaysian Prison
Zhang L, Shenoi S, Kamarulzaman A, Dhaliwal S, Ahmad A, Altice F. 1901. High Prevalence of Latent Tuberculosis Infection in a Malaysian Prison. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2023, 10: ofad500.1729. PMCID: PMC10677608, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofad500.1729.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchLatent tuberculosis infectionPrevalence of LTBIRisk of LTBITB preventive therapyIndependent risk factorTuberculin skin testC-reactive proteinActive TBPreventive therapyTuberculosis infectionRisk factorsHigh prevalenceMultivariable logistic regressionOpioid use disorderRisk of hepatotoxicityChest X-rayDrug use historyPaucity of dataLTBI treatmentHCV infectionHepatitis CHepatitis BMedian ageBlood testsSkin testDesign, implementation and preliminary results of a type-2 hybrid cluster-randomized trial of integrating screening and treatment for major depressive disorder into specialty clinics providing opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine
Machavariani E, Bromberg D, Dumchev K, Dvoriak S, Zeziulin O, Morozova O, Esserman D, Pykalo I, Saichuk N, Ivasiy R, Haddad M, Altice F. Design, implementation and preliminary results of a type-2 hybrid cluster-randomized trial of integrating screening and treatment for major depressive disorder into specialty clinics providing opioid agonist therapies in Ukraine. Contemporary Clinical Trials 2023, 131: 107248. PMID: 37263492, PMCID: PMC10527419, DOI: 10.1016/j.cct.2023.107248.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist therapyMajor depressive disorderCo-occurring disordersAgonist therapyDepressive disorderSpecialty clinicPsychiatric disordersPatient-level outcomesPrevalent psychiatric disordersCluster-randomized trialPoor health outcomesProvider-level dataMDD treatmentTreatment algorithmExperimental armHigh prevalenceDelivery outcomesHealth outcomesSerial surveysClinicPatientsProject ECHOSubstance useMonthsDisordersModelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Stone J, Trickey A, Walker J, Bivegete S, Semchuk N, Sazonova Y, Varetska O, Altice F, Saliuk T, Vickerman P. Modelling the impact and cost‐effectiveness of non‐governmental organizations on HIV and HCV transmission among people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Journal Of The International AIDS Society 2023, 26: e26073. PMID: 37012669, PMCID: PMC10070931, DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26073.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyHepatitis C virusHCV incidenceHCV infectionHIV/HCV testingHIV/HCV infectionHCV transmission modelNeedles/syringesHCV testingHCV eliminationHCV transmissionAgonist treatmentC virusNew HIVHigh prevalencePWIDHIVCondom useSubstantial detrimental impactInfectionIncidencePreventative impactDrugsCoverage levelsDALYsSubstance 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 correlatesIntensified pulmonary tuberculosis case finding among HIV-infected new entrants of a prison in Malaysia: implications for a holistic approach to control tuberculosis in prisons
Al-Darraji H, Hill P, Sharples K, Altice F, Kamarulzaman A. Intensified pulmonary tuberculosis case finding among HIV-infected new entrants of a prison in Malaysia: implications for a holistic approach to control tuberculosis in prisons. International Journal Of Prisoner Health 2023, 19: 501-511. PMID: 36622107, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-01-2022-0001.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTB diseaseComprehensive TB control programMedian CD4 lymphocyte countGeneXpert MTB/RIFPrison entryCD4 lymphocyte countClinical scoring systemTB control programsPulmonary tuberculosis casesMTB/RIFMandatory HIV testingActive TBLymphocyte countTB casesConsented participantsHIV infectionHIV testingClinical presentationTuberculosis casesMean ageTuberculosis diseaseHigh prevalenceSputum samplesScoring systemHIV
2022
Prevalence 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
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 regression
2019
Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action
Degenhardt L, Grebely J, Stone J, Hickman M, Vickerman P, Marshall BDL, Bruneau J, Altice FL, Henderson G, Rahimi-Movaghar A, Larney S. Global patterns of opioid use and dependence: harms to populations, interventions, and future action. The Lancet 2019, 394: 1560-1579. PMID: 31657732, PMCID: PMC7068135, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(19)32229-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid useExtramedical opioid useIllicit opioid useRisk Factor StudyHepatitis C virusDrug-related harmRange of interventionsHIV mortalityOverall mortalityAgonist treatmentExtramedical usePatient acceptabilityC virusHigh prevalenceOpioid overdoseHigh-income countriesGlobal burdenOpioidsMultiple healthEffective interventionsInterventionTreatment qualityDrugsHIVPrisons: 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 screening
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 partnerThe Impact of Housing and HIV Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life Among People With HIV Experiencing Homelessness or Unstable Housing
Giordano TP, Gallagher K, Davich JAW, Rathore M, Borne D, Davies E, Altice FL, Cabral H. The Impact of Housing and HIV Treatment on Health-Related Quality of Life Among People With HIV Experiencing Homelessness or Unstable Housing. American Journal Of Public Health 2018, 108: s531-s538. PMID: 32941776, PMCID: PMC6290581, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2018.304731.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchPhysical component summary scoreComponent summary scoresHIV suppressionCD4 countHIV treatmentSummary scoresPatient-centred comprehensive careCD4 cell countProspective cohort studyMental component scoreHealth-related qualityQuality of lifeHousing statusMental health needsCohort studyHIV infectionClinical parametersComprehensive careHigh prevalenceCell countHealth needsUS sitesUnstable housingHigher PCSCubic millimeterIncarceration history and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Stone J, Fraser H, Lim AG, Walker JG, Ward Z, MacGregor L, Trickey A, Abbott S, Strathdee SA, Abramovitz D, Maher L, Iversen J, Bruneau J, Zang G, Garfein RS, Yen YF, Azim T, Mehta SH, Milloy MJ, Hellard ME, Sacks-Davis R, Dietze PM, Aitken C, Aladashvili M, Tsertsvadze T, Mravčík V, Alary M, Roy E, Smyrnov P, Sazonova Y, Young AM, Havens JR, Hope VD, Desai M, Heinsbroek E, Hutchinson SJ, Palmateer NE, McAuley A, Platt L, Martin NK, Altice FL, Hickman M, Vickerman P. Incarceration history and risk of HIV and hepatitis C virus acquisition among people who inject drugs: a systematic review and meta-analysis. The Lancet Infectious Diseases 2018, 18: 1397-1409. PMID: 30385157, PMCID: PMC6280039, DOI: 10.1016/s1473-3099(18)30469-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHCV acquisition riskAcquisition riskHCV incidenceModerate heterogeneitySystematic reviewHepatitis C virus acquisitionHepatitis C virus infectionHIV acquisition riskRisk of HCVC virus infectionNewcastle-Ottawa ScaleRisk of biasRisk of HIVNational InstituteCommunity-recruited PWIDOutcomes of interestIncident infectionsCohort studyHIV acquisitionHIV transmissionHigh prevalenceVirus infectionRecent incarcerationExclusion criteriaHigh riskPerceptions 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
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
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 35A Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru
Vagenas P, Brown SE, Clark JL, Konda KA, Lama JR, Sánchez J, Duerr AC, Altice FL. A Qualitative Assessment of Alcohol Consumption and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women in Peru. Substance Use & Misuse 2017, 52: 831-839. PMID: 28426357, PMCID: PMC5595368, DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2016.1264968.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAlcohol use disorderMSM/transgender womenTransgender womenAlcohol consumptionRisk behaviorsRisky sexual behaviorConcentrated HIV epidemicMultiple sexual partnersSexual behaviorSexual risk behaviorsAntiretroviral therapyHIV infectionHIV incidenceHIV transmissionMedication adherenceProblematic drinkingSemi-structured focus groupsHIV epidemicHigh prevalencePharmacological interventionsUse disordersFocus groupsUnprotected sexAlcohol dependencePeruvian men
2016
Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment
Shrestha R, Huedo-Medina TB, Altice FL, Krishnan A, Copenhaver M. Examining the Acceptability of mHealth Technology in HIV Prevention Among High-Risk Drug Users in Treatment. AIDS And Behavior 2016, 21: 3100-3110. PMID: 28025735, PMCID: PMC5484759, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1637-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAcquired Immunodeficiency SyndromeAdultCell PhoneConnecticutDelivery of Health CareDrug UsersFemaleHIV InfectionsHumansInternetMaleMethadoneNeurocognitive DisordersOpiate Substitution TreatmentPatient Acceptance of Health CarePrevalenceRisk FactorsRisk-TakingSexual BehaviorSmartphoneSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTelemedicineText MessagingConceptsSex-related risk behaviorsNeurocognitive impairmentDrug usersRisk behaviorsHIV-negative drug usersHigh-risk drug usersHigh-risk populationHigh-risk peopleHIV prevention effortsUse of mHealthMethadone clinicsHIV preventionHigh prevalenceMedication remindersHealth programsMHealth acceptancePrevention effortsHealth conditionsMHealth technologiesConvenience sampleDrugsStandardized assessmentReal-world acceptanceMobile healthPhone callsPretreatment Drug use Characteristics and Experiences among Patients in a Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Approach
Krishnan A, Brown SE, Ghani MA, Khan F, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. Pretreatment Drug use Characteristics and Experiences among Patients in a Voluntary Substance Abuse Treatment Center in Malaysia: A Mixed-Methods Approach. Substance Abuse 2016, 37: 542-549. PMID: 26914230, PMCID: PMC5551393, DOI: 10.1080/08897077.2016.1146648.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsCompulsory drug detention centersDrug use characteristicsDrug useAmphetamine useTreatment centersDrug usersVoluntary drug treatment centresIllicit amphetamine useInjection drug useDrug treatment centersSubstance abuse treatment centersDrug use patternsDrug use profilesHigh-risk behaviorsSignificant public healthDrug initiationCare centerHigh prevalencePolysubstance useNortheast MalaysiaAddiction severityPatientsBehavioral interventionsAddiction treatmentConvenience sampleUndiagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis among prisoners in Malaysia: an overlooked risk for tuberculosis in the community
Al-Darraji HA, Altice FL, Kamarulzaman A. Undiagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis among prisoners in Malaysia: an overlooked risk for tuberculosis in the community. Tropical Medicine And International Health 2016, 21: 1049-1058. PMID: 27197601, DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12726.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchGeneXpert MTB/RIFCase-finding strategyActive TBMTB/RIFTB treatmentMalaysia's largest prisonUndiagnosed pulmonary tuberculosisActive tuberculosis casesOlder age groupsLargest prisonPulmonary tuberculosisHIV infectionTuberculosis casesHigh prevalenceSputum samplesSmear microscopyClinical informationAverage ageCulture resultsAge groupsScreening studyComplete dataHIVRegression analysisTuberculosis
2015
HIV Prevalence Among People Who Inject Drugs in Greater Kuala Lumpur Recruited Using Respondent-Driven Sampling
Bazazi AR, Crawford F, Zelenev A, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL. HIV Prevalence Among People Who Inject Drugs in Greater Kuala Lumpur Recruited Using Respondent-Driven Sampling. AIDS And Behavior 2015, 19: 2347-2357. PMID: 26358544, PMCID: PMC4743744, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1191-y.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevalenceHIV epidemicPrevention interventionsRapid HIV testingHIV prevention interventionsRespondent-driven samplingHIV testingAppropriate treatmentHigh prevalencePWIDCommunity surveillanceKuala LumpurPrevalenceBehavioral assessmentOverall sampleDrugsInterventionRecruitment sitesEpidemicInterview siteHIVGeographic regionsGreater Kuala LumpurDiscrete geographic regionsLumpurSex-Related Disparities in Criminal Justice and HIV Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of HIV-Infected Inmates.
Meyer JP, Cepeda J, Taxman FS, Altice FL. Sex-Related Disparities in Criminal Justice and HIV Treatment Outcomes: A Retrospective Cohort Study of HIV-Infected Inmates. American Journal Of Public Health 2015, 105: 1901-10. PMID: 26180958, PMCID: PMC4529767, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2015.302687.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapyViral suppressionSex-related differencesHigh prevalenceRisk scoreHIV treatment outcomesRetrospective cohort studyHIV viral suppressionLarge contemporary cohortSex-related disparitiesSex-specific interventionsCommunity-based treatmentWomen's higher prevalenceLogistic regression modelsCJ populationsTreatable comorbiditiesCohort studyHIV outcomesContemporary cohortTreatment outcomesHIVCJ involvementIncarceration durationOlder ageSignificant correlates