2025
Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) receipt and persistence among opioid-dependent people who inject drugs initiating PrEP for HIV prevention
Khati A, Copenhaver M, Xu R, Altice F, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Paudel K, Shrestha R. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) receipt and persistence among opioid-dependent people who inject drugs initiating PrEP for HIV prevention. Journal Of Substance Use And Addiction Treatment 2025, 209693. PMID: 40222706, DOI: 10.1016/j.josat.2025.209693.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid-dependent PWIDPre-exposure prophylaxisPrEP prescriptionPrEP useInjected drugsOral pre-exposure prophylaxisBehaviours related to sexFollow-up periodOpioid dependencePrEP continuum of careAssociated with higher persistenceFactors associated with persistenceMultivariable ordinal logistic regressionOpioid-dependent peopleDrug useAssess sociodemographic characteristicsPrEP persistenceRelated to sexHIV outbreakContinuum of careEarly 40sParticipantsPrEP continuumHIV preventionHIVPrescribing methadone in prison predicts linkage to HIV care after release from prison: A randomized and patient preference trial
Mobley A, Wegman M, Bazazi A, Shenoi S, Bromberg D, Ahmad A, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Prescribing methadone in prison predicts linkage to HIV care after release from prison: A randomized and patient preference trial. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2025, 137: 104733. PMID: 39923270, PMCID: PMC11875876, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104733.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsLinkage to HIV careHIV careIncrease linkage to HIV careTreatment-as-prevention strategiesHIV treatment cascadeHIV treatment outcomesOpen-label trialCox proportional hazards modelsPatient preference trialOpioid use disorderMalaysia’s largest prison.Impact of methadoneProportional hazards modelTreatment cascadeInverse probability weighted Cox proportional hazards modelAnalytic sampleStudy participantsCareTreatment outcomesPrescribed methadoneOpioidConfounding variablesHIVUse disorderHazards modelTuberculosis 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 ResearchConceptsReduce health inequalitiesCommunity-based approachActive case findingNational Tuberculosis ProgrammeHealth inequalitiesTargeted interventionsTuberculosis interventionsCase findingTreatment adherenceGeneral populationTuberculosis ProgrammeMarginalised populationsHIV fieldInterventionPrevalence of tuberculosisTuberculosis burdenPopulation levelTuberculosis transmissionHigher incidencePeoplePopulationAdherenceHIVPrevalenceLinkage
2024
Disruptions to HIV Prevention During Armed Conflict in Ukraine and Other Settings
Nikitin B, Bromberg D, Ivasiy R, Madden L, Machavariani E, Dvoriak S, Poole D, Otiashvilli D, Altice F. Disruptions to HIV Prevention During Armed Conflict in Ukraine and Other Settings. Current HIV/AIDS Reports 2024, 22: 10. PMID: 39672977, PMCID: PMC11823171, DOI: 10.1007/s11904-024-00716-x.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchTransformation of the HIV treatment cascade for people who inject drugs in Ukraine
Bromberg D, Rhoades D, Madden L, Ivasiy R, Meteliuk A, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Nikitin B, Farnum S, Fomenko T, Dvoriak S, Altice F. Transformation of the HIV treatment cascade for people who inject drugs in Ukraine. AIDS 2024, 39: 306-311. PMID: 39589135, DOI: 10.1097/qad.0000000000004056.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyAntiretroviral therapyImprove HIV treatment outcomesHIV treatment outcomesHIV care cascadeCross-sectional biobehavioral surveyTreatment outcomesCare cascadeUkraine's HIV epidemicPrescription of antiretroviral therapyPrescribed antiretroviral therapyAdherence to antiretroviral therapyHIV treatment cascadeAgonist therapyBiobehavioral surveyOpioid dependenceHIV diagnosisTreatment cascadeHIV epidemicHIVOpioidPWIDTherapyDrugOutcomesUser preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia
Palmer L, Wickersham J, Gautam K, Maviglia F, Bruno B, Azwa I, Khati A, Altice F, Paudel K, Pagoto S, Shrestha R. User preferences for an mHealth app to support HIV testing and pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake among men who have sex with men in Malaysia. PLOS Digital Health 2024, 3: e0000643. PMID: 39475851, PMCID: PMC11524455, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pdig.0000643.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV prevention servicesHIV testingPreventive servicesPre-exposure prophylaxis uptakeHIV prevention appIncrease HIV testingMobile appsPrevalence of HIVHard-to-reach populationsStudy assessed attitudesOnline focus groupsMalaysian MSMCost of servicesPrEP uptakeDedoose softwareMHealth appsPrevention appsFocus groupsIntervention modalitiesMSMEngagement strategiesHIVConfidentiality risksThematic contentMenA 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, 37: 151-160. PMID: 39404196, PMCID: PMC11682916, 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 partnersThe cascade of care for commercially-insured persons with opioid use disorder and comorbid HIV and HCV infections
Ivasiy R, Madden L, DiDomizio E, Johnson K, Machavariani E, Ahmad B, Oliveros D, Ram A, Kil N, Altice F. The cascade of care for commercially-insured persons with opioid use disorder and comorbid HIV and HCV infections. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2024, 263: 112410. PMID: 39159600, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.112410.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid use disorderXR-NTXUse disorderHCV infectionPrescribed MOUDOpioid use disorder cascadePrevalence of opioid use disorderRetrospective cohort studyHigher treatment retentionCascade of careConcurrent infectious diseasesSix-month retentionHCV/HIV coinfectionComorbid HIVCohort studyHospital-based settingPrescribed methadoneHCVMOUD initiationHIVHCV epidemicOpioidMethadoneMOUD prescriptionsTreatment retentionHIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS): Psychometric Evaluation to Assess Clinician’s Propensity Towards HIV Activism in Malaysia
Chong N, Azwa I, Hassan A, Mousavi M, Wong P, Ng R, Saifi R, Basri S, Omar S, Walters S, Collier Z, Haddad M, Altice F, Kamarulzaman A, Earnshaw V. HIV Activist Identity, Commitment, and Orientation Scale (HAICOS): Psychometric Evaluation to Assess Clinician’s Propensity Towards HIV Activism in Malaysia. AIDS And Behavior 2024, 28: 2780-2792. PMID: 38806844, PMCID: PMC11827331, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04381-4.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsExploratory factor analysisHIV-related stigmaIntra-class correlation coefficientPrimary care physiciansTest-retest reliabilityCronbach's alpha valuesOrientation ScaleCare physiciansStigma-relatedPsychometric evaluationHIV treatmentHIV activityAlpha valuesPsychometric qualitiesActivist identitiesHIVClinical practiceFactor analysisCliniciansCorrelation coefficientDay-to-dayStructured activitiesCronbachStigmaPhysiciansPreferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey.
Bromberg D, Madden L, Fraenkel L, Muthulingam D, Rhoades D, Dvoriak S, Dumchev K, Pykalo I, Altice F. Preferences and decisional considerations relating to opioid agonist therapy among Ukrainian people who use drugs: A conjoint analysis survey. PLOS Global Public Health 2024, 4: e0002725. PMID: 38277422, PMCID: PMC10817130, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002725.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchOpioid agonist therapyWithdrawal symptomsAdverse side effectsAgonist therapySide effectsOpioid use disorderQuality-of-life improvementUse disorderCombined HIVHIV incidenceClinical decision-makingDosing frequencyRespondent-driven samplingOpioidOpioid epidemicAssess preferencesClinical concernPatient preferencesPatientsDelivery strategiesTherapyDisordersHIVPatient concernsWithdrawal
2023
Psychometric Evaluation and Validation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spanish Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women
Ranjit Y, Krishnan A, Earnshaw V, Weikum D, Ferro E, Sanchez J, Altice F. Psychometric Evaluation and Validation of the HIV Stigma Scale in Spanish Among Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Women. Stigma And Health 2023, 8: 437-444. PMID: 38434589, PMCID: PMC10906740, DOI: 10.1037/sah0000302.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchHIV Stigma ScaleTransgender womenStigma ScaleResource-limited settingsGood construct validityHIV clinicHIV stigmaDepressive symptomsMeasures of stigmaHIVInternalized stigmaPsychometric evaluationSociodemographic measuresMenSexMSMSocial supportConstruct validityEmployment statusSpanish versionConfirmatory factor analysisPsychometric propertiesWomenStigmaClinicPre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment
Dubov A, Altice F, Gutierrez J, Wickersham J, Azwa I, Kamarulzaman A, Gautam K, Shrestha R. Pre-exposure prophylaxis service among men who have sex with men in Malaysia: findings from a discrete choice experiment. Scientific Reports 2023, 13: 14200. PMID: 37648731, PMCID: PMC10468492, DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-41264-5.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsInjectable PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxis servicesDaily oral PrEPPre-exposure prophylaxisMalaysian MSMPrEP deliveryOral PrEPPrEP uptakeMSMPrEPLatent class analysisDiscrete choice experimentMenDelivery preferencesDelivery programsSexGroupClass analysisType of programPreference groupsOnline surveyProphylaxisInitiation rateHIVDosingImproving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches
Brooks R, Wegener M, Freeman B, Fowles C, Madden L, Tetrault J, Nichols L, Altice F, Villanueva M. Improving HIV and HCV Testing in Substance Use Disorder Programs (SUDs) That Provide Medications for Opiate Use Disorder (MOUD): Role of Addressing Barriers and Implementing Universal and Site-Specific Approaches. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 1018-1028. PMID: 37439759, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169791.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV/HCV coinfectionSubstance use disorder programsHCV testingOpiate use disorderHCV coinfectionUse disordersNominal group techniqueSubstance use disorder treatment centersCascade of careRates of HIVDisorder treatment centersQuality improvement effortsRate of testingHCV acquisitionHCV cureImproving HIVSUD clinicsHepatitis CHIV testingPrior diagnosisSubsequent referralReferral ratesHIV epidemicHIVTreatment centersLeveraging 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 participantsChallenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias
DiDomizio E, Chandra D, Nichols L, Villanueva M, Altice F. Challenges to Achieving HCV Micro-Elimination in People With HIV in the United States: Provider Perspectives and the Role of Implicit Bias. Health Promotion Practice 2023, 24: 998-1008. PMID: 37440258, DOI: 10.1177/15248399231169928.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsNominal group techniqueHealth care decisionsProvider perspectivesEligibility criteriaHIV/HCVEffective antiviral medicationsPatient eligibility criteriaFacilitators of treatmentMicro-EliminationHCV treatmentAntiviral medicationsOpioid epidemicProvider knowledgePatient involvementPatient engagementDifferent clinicsRelated stigmaHCVCare decisionsHIVPatientsTreatmentGroup sessionsMost barriersFocus group sessionsModelling 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 levelsDALYsClinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability
Shrestha R, Altice F, Khati A, Azwa I, Gautam K, Gupta S, Sullivan P, Ni Z, Kamarulzaman A, Phiphatkunarnon P, Wickersham J. Clinic-Integrated Smartphone App (JomPrEP) to Improve Uptake of HIV Testing and Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Among Men Who Have Sex With Men in Malaysia: Mixed Methods Evaluation of Usability and Acceptability. JMIR MHealth And UHealth 2023, 11: e44468. PMID: 36795465, PMCID: PMC9982718, DOI: 10.2196/44468.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsHIV prevention servicesINTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIERPrevention servicesMean ageHIV preventionPre-exposure prophylaxisHIV prevention outcomesHIV self-testing (HIVST) kitsParticipants' mean ageSelf-testing kitsHealth care settingsMobile health platformMalaysian MSMMixed-methods evaluationHIV testingCare settingsLocal clinicSystem Usability ScalePrevention outcomesDays of testingMSMSmartphone appPrEPHIVMean scoreIntensified 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 Prison 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
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 responseImpact of prerelease methadone on mortality among people with HIV and opioid use disorder after prison release: results from a randomized and participant choice open-label trial in Malaysia
Bazazi A, Culbert G, Wegman M, Heimer R, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Impact of prerelease methadone on mortality among people with HIV and opioid use disorder after prison release: results from a randomized and participant choice open-label trial in Malaysia. BMC Infectious Diseases 2022, 22: 837. PMID: 36368939, PMCID: PMC9652918, DOI: 10.1186/s12879-022-07804-6.Peer-Reviewed Original ResearchConceptsOpioid use disorderOpioid agonist therapyInfectious etiologyMost deathsUse disordersSample of menPrison releaseOpen-label trialT-lymphocyte countsPredictors of mortalityNational death recordsCrude mortality rateProportional hazards modelCovariate-adjusted modelsLow CD4Methadone initiationModified intentionAgonist therapySurvival benefitTreat analysisMethodsThis studyHIVHazards modelMortality rateMethadone
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