2025
Using nominal group technique to identify and prioritize barriers to decentralizing HIV care to primary health centers in Lima, Peru
Oliveros D, Konda K, Madden L, Montenegro-Idrogo J, Tafur Quintanilla K, Sosa Barbarán K, Nikitin B, Ponticiello M, Benites C, Sánchez J, Altice F. Using nominal group technique to identify and prioritize barriers to decentralizing HIV care to primary health centers in Lima, Peru. BMC Health Services Research 2025, 25: 466. PMID: 40156011, PMCID: PMC11954239, DOI: 10.1186/s12913-025-12618-8.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleHealth Services AccessibilityHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMiddle AgedPeruPoliticsPrimary Health CareSocial StigmaConceptsPrimary health centersNominal group techniqueDecentralized HIV careHIV careHealth centersHIV servicesGroup of healthcare providersDecentralization of HIV careNominal group technique groupsPatient's continuity of careContinuity of carePeruvian Ministry of HealthGroup techniqueEvidence-based strategiesMinistry of HealthHIV stigmaLack of confidenceHealthcare accessPerceived BarriersProvider groupsHealth outcomesHealthcare providersPatient continuityIdentified barriersEducational meetingsImpact of multi-level factors and partner characteristics on antiretroviral therapy adherence and access to HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Neuenschwander P, Pala A, Altice F, Remien R, Mergenova G, Rozental E, Gulyayev V, Davis A. Impact of multi-level factors and partner characteristics on antiretroviral therapy adherence and access to HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal Of STD & AIDS 2025, 36: 568-576. PMID: 40155324, DOI: 10.1177/09564624251329626.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsAntiretroviral therapy adherenceMental healthFactors associated with ART adherenceMethodsA cross-sectional surveyMultilevel generalized linear mixed modelsPoor mental healthAssociated with lower adherenceBackgroundAdherence to antiretroviral therapyAntiretroviral therapyMedication adherence ratesCross-sectional surveyCOVID-19 pandemicHIV treatment programsMulti-level factorsNegative emotional impactHIV carePublic health crisisSocial supportART adherenceSupportive partnersLinear mixed modelsAdherence ratesAssessed associationsLow adherenceAdherence levelsExploring barriers and potential solutions before implementing a scale-up strategy to expand methadone coverage among people who inject drugs in Tajikistan
O'Hara G, Madden L, Burkhonov A, Alaei A, Mohsinzoda G, Bromberg D, Abdullozoda J, Yusufi S, Altice F. Exploring barriers and potential solutions before implementing a scale-up strategy to expand methadone coverage among people who inject drugs in Tajikistan. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2025, 172: 209682. PMID: 40139416, DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2025.209682.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultFemaleFocus GroupsHealth Services AccessibilityHIV InfectionsHumansMaleMethadoneOpiate Substitution TreatmentOpioid-Related DisordersSubstance Abuse, IntravenousTajikistanConceptsOpioid agonist therapyNominal group techniquePre-implementationImplementation strategiesSecondary HIV prevention strategyHIV prevention strategiesPre-implementation studyAgonist therapyOpioid agonist therapy scale-upHIV epidemicPre-implementation activitiesMethadoneFocus groupsPrevention strategiesCentral Asian regionOpioidGroup techniquePWIDOrganizational factorsNIATxSocietal factorsRecipientsScale-up strategyDrugTuberculosis and people who use drugs: why focus on this overlooked population is important and why adapted interventions are necessary
D'Ottavi M, Godfrey-Faussett P, Merle C, Sofonea M, Laureillard D, Vickerman P, Molès J, Altice F, Van de Perre P, Stone J, Nagot N. Tuberculosis and people who use drugs: why focus on this overlooked population is important and why adapted interventions are necessary. The Lancet Global Health 2025, 13: e593-e598. PMID: 39862874, DOI: 10.1016/s2214-109x(24)00481-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsDrug UsersGlobal HealthHealth Services AccessibilityHumansSubstance-Related DisordersTuberculosisConceptsReduce health inequalitiesCommunity-based approachActive case findingNational Tuberculosis ProgrammeHealth inequalitiesTargeted interventionsTuberculosis interventionsCase findingTreatment adherenceGeneral populationTuberculosis ProgrammeMarginalised populationsHIV fieldInterventionPrevalence of tuberculosisTuberculosis burdenPopulation levelTuberculosis transmissionHigher incidencePeoplePopulationAdherenceHIVPrevalenceLinkage
2024
Using nominal group technique with people who are incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons to identify barriers and solutions to improving Prison Needle Exchange Program uptake
Lafferty L, Altice F, Leone F, Stoové M, Lloyd A, Hajarizadeh B, Kronfli N. Using nominal group technique with people who are incarcerated in Canadian federal prisons to identify barriers and solutions to improving Prison Needle Exchange Program uptake. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2024, 131: 104549. PMID: 39141957, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2024.104549.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultCanadaConfidentialityFemaleFocus GroupsHarm ReductionHealth Services AccessibilityHumansMaleMiddle AgedNeedle-Exchange ProgramsPrisonersPrisonsSubstance Abuse, IntravenousConceptsCanadian federal prisonsFederal prisonsPeer advocatesProgram participantsWrap-around servicesCorrectional authoritiesPrisonParticipant confidentialityFear of repercussionsHarm reductionLack of confidentialityPerceived repercussionsPriority barriersNeedle exchange programsParticipants' narrativesDrug useAdvocatesVotingAccess barriersIdentity processesImprove accessFocus groupsNominal group techniqueConfidentialityInterview transcripts
2021
The opioid crisis and HIV in the USA: deadly synergies
Hodder SL, Feinberg J, Strathdee SA, Shoptaw S, Altice FL, Ortenzio L, Beyrer C. The opioid crisis and HIV in the USA: deadly synergies. The Lancet 2021, 397: 1139-1150. PMID: 33617769, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(21)00391-3.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdolescentAdultAnalgesics, OpioidBlack or African AmericanCase-Control StudiesDisease OutbreaksEvidence-Based MedicineFemaleFentanylHealth Services AccessibilityHispanic or LatinoHIV InfectionsHumansMaleNeedle SharingOpiate OverdoseOpioid EpidemicOpioid-Related DisordersSocial StigmaUnited StatesWhite PeopleYoung AdultConceptsNew HIV diagnosesHIV diagnosisOpioid epidemicHIV preventionMultiple evidence-based interventionsGreat public health problemRecent HIV outbreaksOpioid overdose death ratesOpioid use disorderLarge central metropolitan areasPublic health problemOverdose death ratesComprehensive health careEvidence-based interventionsDeadly synergyHIV acquisitionSynthetic opioid fentanylSyringe sharingHIV outbreakUse disordersOpioid fentanylTreatment servicesHealth problemsOpioid crisisDeath rate
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
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 partnerOptimizing access to PrEP based on MSM preferences: results of a discrete choice experiment
Dubov A, Ogunbajo A, Altice FL, Fraenkel L. Optimizing access to PrEP based on MSM preferences: results of a discrete choice experiment. AIDS Care 2018, 31: 545-553. PMID: 30554519, PMCID: PMC6408226, DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2018.1557590.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAdultChoice BehaviorHealth Services AccessibilityHIV InfectionsHomosexuality, MaleHumansMalePatient PreferencePre-Exposure ProphylaxisSocial NetworkingSurveys and QuestionnairesYoung AdultConceptsYoung MSMInjectable PrEPPrEP uptakeUptake of PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisHigh HIV burdenMSM of colorMSM preferencesPrEP administrationDaily PrEPPrEP initiationHIV burdenDemand PrEPConsultation visitMSMPrEP programPrEPLatent class analysisDelivery programsMenGroupClass analysisStructural barriersLow levelsUptake“You Have to Keep Yourself Hidden”: Perspectives From Malaysian Malay-Muslim Men Who Have Sex With Men on Policy, Network, Community, and Individual Influences on HIV Risk
Lim SH, Brown SE, Shaw SA, Kamarulzaman A, Altice FL, Beyrer C. “You Have to Keep Yourself Hidden”: Perspectives From Malaysian Malay-Muslim Men Who Have Sex With Men on Policy, Network, Community, and Individual Influences on HIV Risk. Journal Of Homosexuality 2018, 67: 104-126. PMID: 30307803, DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2018.1525946.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV riskConcerns of participantsFear of discriminationFocus group discussionsHomophobic commentsMuslim countriesDepth interviewsReligious leadersSoutheast AsiaHIV/AIDSGroup discussionsPolicyCommunityLow risk perceptionRisk perceptionHealth servicesKuala LumpurSexual behaviorIndividual factorsMost participantsGovernmentHomosexualityLeadersInterviewsReligionDrug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments
Azbel L, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Bachireddy C, Meyer J, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Drug injection within prison in Kyrgyzstan: elevated HIV risk and implications for scaling up opioid agonist treatments. International Journal Of Prison Health 2018, 14: 175-187. PMID: 30274558, PMCID: PMC6447033, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2017-0016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMethadone maintenance treatmentNeedle syringe programsDrug injectionDrug injectorsHigh HIV risk behaviorElevated HIV riskPrison drug injectionHepatitis C infectionOpioid agonist treatmentHIV risk behaviorsC infectionHIV incidenceAgonist treatmentMaintenance treatmentIndependent correlatesBiobehavioral surveysHIV riskOnly examinationRisk behaviorsMMT useLow uptakeCurrent incarcerationInjectionLogit linkHigh-risk environmentsPrisoner health status at three rural Haitian prisons
LaMonaca K, Desai M, May JP, Lyon E, Altice FL. Prisoner health status at three rural Haitian prisons. International Journal Of Prison Health 2018, 14: 197-209. PMID: 30274560, DOI: 10.1108/ijph-02-2017-0010.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsBody mass indexHealth statusPhysical functionSociodemographic characteristicsSelf-reported physical functionBetter overall health statusHigher Body Mass IndexPrisoners' health statusOverall health statusCross-sectional studyPhysical health statusMental health statusPoor health outcomesSelf-rated healthLength of detentionAdequate medical careMass indexFood insecurityHealth outcomesAdequate nutritionMedical carePrisoner healthRegional prisonsLow-income countriesMental health
2017
Willingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Madden L, Filippovich S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Willingness to pay for opioid agonist treatment among opioid dependent people who inject drugs in Ukraine. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2017, 45: 56-63. PMID: 28628853, PMCID: PMC5533603, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2017.05.037.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid agonist treatmentOpioid-dependent peopleAgonist treatmentCurrent opioid agonist treatmentCross-sectional nationwide surveyMonthly incomeMultivariate logistic regressionIndependent predictorsPWIDKruskal-Wallis testPsychosocial counselingPrevious unsuccessful attemptsYounger ageLogistic regressionDependent peopleHigher incomeOne-way ANOVANationwide surveyDrugsContinuous variablesFamily supportTreatmentLarge percentageBetter accessCohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort
Chandler R, Gordon MS, Kruszka B, Strand LN, Altice FL, Beckwith CG, Biggs ML, Cunningham W, Chris Delaney JA, Flynn PM, Golin CE, Knight K, Kral AH, Kuo I, Lorvick J, Nance RM, Ouellet LJ, Rich JD, Sacks S, Seal D, Spaulding A, Springer SA, Taxman F, Wohl D, Young JD, Young R, Crane HM. Cohort profile: seek, test, treat and retain United States criminal justice cohort. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2017, 12: 24. PMID: 28511680, PMCID: PMC5433052, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-017-0107-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsTreatment cascadeViral loadHIV RNA viral loadCD4 T-cell countRisk behaviorsSubstance useT-cell countsHepatitis C infectionRNA viral loadInjection drug useHealth Related QualityHIV treatment cascadeUnprotected sexual intercourseHealth care accessRecent polysubstance useC infectionViral suppressionHIV diagnosisHIV infectionMedian ageRelated qualityCriminal justice involvementART treatmentCohort membersGender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors Among Persons Involved in the U.S. Criminal Justice System and Living with HIV or at Risk for HIV: A “Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain” Harmonization Consortium
Loeliger KB, Biggs ML, Young R, Seal DW, Beckwith CG, Kuo I, Gordon MS, Altice FL, Ouellet LJ, Cunningham WE, Young JD, Springer SA. Gender Differences in HIV Risk Behaviors Among Persons Involved in the U.S. Criminal Justice System and Living with HIV or at Risk for HIV: A “Seek, Test, Treat, and Retain” Harmonization Consortium. AIDS And Behavior 2017, 21: 2945-2957. PMID: 28188460, PMCID: PMC5552433, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1722-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV risk behaviorsRisk behaviorsHIV risk reduction interventionsHIV-negative participantsHIV-positive womenHIV-positive menMultilevel mixed-effects logistic regression modelSero-discordant partnersMixed effects logistic regression modelsCondomless sexual intercourseRisk reduction interventionsLogistic regression modelsCJ populationsBehavior Assessment ToolHIV transmissionCriminal justice populationsHigher oddsHIVReduction interventionsSexual intercourseLarge-scale studiesBaseline dataInjection equipmentJustice populationsAssessment toolInnovative Program Delivery and Determinants of Frequent Visitation to a Mobile Medical Clinic in an Urban Setting
Gibson BA, Morano JP, Walton MR, Marcus R, Zelenev A, Bruce RD, Altice FL. Innovative Program Delivery and Determinants of Frequent Visitation to a Mobile Medical Clinic in an Urban Setting. Journal Of Health Care For The Poor And Underserved 2017, 28: 643-662. PMID: 28529215, DOI: 10.1353/hpu.2017.0065.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsMobile medical clinicMedical clinicsInjection drug useVulnerable populationsHealth careHealth insurance coveragePatient characteristicsContinuous health careAcute careAffordable Care ActDrug useNegative binomial regressionInsurance coverageCare ActCareCertain populationsUtilization patternsBinomial regressionClinicVisitsProgram deliveryUnique clientsNew HavenPopulationSpecific indicators
2016
Community-Based Interventions to Improve and Sustain Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, Retention in HIV Care and Clinical Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries for Achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets
Nachega JB, Adetokunboh O, Uthman OA, Knowlton AW, Altice FL, Schechter M, Galárraga O, Geng E, Peltzer K, Chang LW, Van Cutsem G, Jaffar SS, Ford N, Mellins CA, Remien RH, Mills EJ. Community-Based Interventions to Improve and Sustain Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, Retention in HIV Care and Clinical Outcomes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries for Achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets. Current HIV/AIDS Reports 2016, 13: 241-255. PMID: 27475643, PMCID: PMC5357578, DOI: 10.1007/s11904-016-0325-9.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchMeSH KeywordsAnti-HIV AgentsCommunity Health CentersCross-Sectional StudiesDeveloping CountriesHealth EducationHealth Services AccessibilityHIV InfectionsHumansMedication AdherenceObservational Studies as TopicPatient DropoutsRandomized Controlled Trials as TopicSustained Virologic ResponseUnited NationsConceptsHealth facility-based interventionsFacility-based interventionsAntiretroviral therapy adherenceCommunity-based interventionsVirologic suppressionCohort studyMiddle-income countriesClinical outcomesTherapy adherenceRelative riskComparable outcomesCommunity-based ART delivery modelTreatment engagementART delivery modelsFacility-based modelsComparative cohort studyRelevant clinical outcomesRandom-effects modelLeast comparable outcomesStable HIVCause mortalityHIV careART adherenceUNAIDS 90ART deliveryPublic health and international drug policy
Csete J, Kamarulzaman A, Kazatchkine M, Altice F, Balicki M, Buxton J, Cepeda J, Comfort M, Goosby E, Goulão J, Hart C, Kerr T, Lajous AM, Lewis S, Martin N, Mejía D, Camacho A, Mathieson D, Obot I, Ogunrombi A, Sherman S, Stone J, Vallath N, Vickerman P, Zábranský T, Beyrer C. Public health and international drug policy. The Lancet 2016, 387: 1427-1480. PMID: 27021149, PMCID: PMC5042332, DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)00619-x.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
2015
Accessing methadone within Moldovan prisons: Prejudice and myths amplified by peers
Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Marcus R, Doltu S, Grishaev E, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Accessing methadone within Moldovan prisons: Prejudice and myths amplified by peers. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2015, 29: 91-95. PMID: 26809933, PMCID: PMC5592800, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.016.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchBalancing access and safety in prescribing opioid agonist therapy to prevent HIV transmission
Bachireddy C, Weisberg DF, Altice FL. Balancing access and safety in prescribing opioid agonist therapy to prevent HIV transmission. Addiction 2015, 110: 1869-1871. PMID: 26464200, DOI: 10.1111/add.13055.Peer-Reviewed Original Research
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