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Ottesen TD, Wickersham JA, Lawrence JC, Antoniak S, Zezuilin O, Polonsky M, Antonyak S, Rozanova J, Dvoriak S, Pykalo I, Filippovych M, Altice FL. High rates of deferring antiretroviral treatment for patients with HIV and substance use disorders: Results from a national sample of HIV physicians in Ukraine. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0305086. [PMID: 39028735 PMCID: PMC11259278 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence and mortality are increasing in Ukraine despite their reductions globally, in part due to suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in key populations of people with HIV (PWH) where the epidemic is concentrated. As physicians are gatekeepers to ART prescription, stigma and discrimination barriers are understudied as a key to meeting HIV treatment targets in key populations. METHODS A national sample (N = 204) of ART-prescribing physicians in Ukraine were surveyed between August and November 2019. Participants underwent a series of randomized, hypothetical HIV clinical scenarios and decided whether to initiate or defer (or withhold) ART. Scenarios varied based on 5 distinct CD4 counts (CD4: 17, 176, 305, 470, or 520 cells/mL) and 10 different PWH key populations. Z scores and McNemar's test for paired samples were used to assess differences between key populations and CD4 count. Feeling thermometers were used to assess stigma-related measures toward key populations among physicians. RESULTS Physicians were highly experienced (mean = 19 years) HIV treaters, female (80.4%), and trained in infectious diseases (76.5%). Patients who drink alcohol (range: 21.6%-23.5%) or use (PWUD range: 16.7%-20.1%) or inject (PWID range: 15.5%-20.1%) drugs were most likely to have ART deferred, even at AIDS-defining CD4 counts. PWID maintained on methadone, however, were significantly (p<0.001) less likely to have ART deferred compared with those who were not (range: 7.8%-12.7%) on methadone. Men who have sex with men (range: 5.4%-10.8%), transgender women (range: 4.9%-11.3%), sex workers (range: 3.9%-10.3%),and having an HIV-uninfected sex partner (range: 3.9%-9.3%) had the lowest likelihood of ART deferral. Increasing levels of stigma (i.e., feeling thermometers) towards a key population was correlated with ART deferral (i.e., discrimination). CONCLUSIONS Despite international and Ukrainian guidelines recommending ART prescription for all PWH, irrespective of risk or CD4 count, ART deferral by experienced HIV experts remains high in certain key populations, especially in PWH and substance use disorders. Strategies that initiate ART immediately after diagnosis (i.e., rapid start antiretroviral therapy), independent of risk group, should be prioritized to truly mitigate the current epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taylor D. Ottesen
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Harvard Combined Orthopaedic Residency Program, Boston, MA, United States of America
| | - Jeffrey A. Wickersham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Juliana C. Lawrence
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sergii Antoniak
- L.V. Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases of the National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Maxim Polonsky
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Keck Graduate Institute, Claremont, CA, United States of America
| | - Svitlana Antonyak
- L.V. Gromashevsky Institute of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases of the National Academy of Medical Science of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Julia Rozanova
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Iryna Pykalo
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Fredrick L. Altice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Centre of Excellence in Research on AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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Hui J, Reddon H, Fairbairn N, Choi J, Milloy MJ, Socias ME. Prevalence and Correlates of Heavy Alcohol use among People Living with HIV who use Unregulated Drugs in Vancouver, Canada. AIDS Behav 2024; 28:2427-2437. [PMID: 38662276 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-024-04341-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
Among people living with HIV (PLWH), heavy alcohol use is associated with many negative health consequences. However, the impacts of heavy alcohol use are not well described for PLWH who use drugs. Thus, we investigated the prevalence and correlates of heavy alcohol use among a cohort of people who use drugs (PWUD) living with HIV in Vancouver, Canada. We accessed data from an ongoing community-recruited prospective cohort of PLWH who use drugs with linked comprehensive HIV clinical monitoring data. We used generalized linear mixed-effects modeling to identify factors longitudinally associated with periods of heavy alcohol use between December 2005 and December 2019. Of the 896 participants included, 291 (32.5%) reported at least one period with heavy alcohol use. Periods of recent incarceration (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] = 1.48, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.01-2.17), encounters with police (AOR = 1.87, 95% CI: 1.37-2.56), and older age (AOR = 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.07) were positively associated with heavy alcohol use. Engagement in drug or alcohol treatment (AOR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.42-0.70) and male gender (AOR = 0.46; 95% CI: 0.27-0.78) were negatively associated with heavy alcohol use. We observed that heavy alcohol use was clearly linked to involvement with the criminal justice system. These findings, together with the protective effects of substance use treatment, suggest the need to expand access for drug and alcohol treatment programs overall, and in particular through the criminal justice system to reduce alcohol-related harms among PLWH who use drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy Hui
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
| | - Hudson Reddon
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada.
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada.
| | - Nadia Fairbairn
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - JinCheol Choi
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - M-J Milloy
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
| | - Maria Eugenia Socias
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, 2775 Laurel Street, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 1M9, Canada
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, 1045 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 2A9, Canada
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Bromberg DJ, Galvez de Leon SJ, Litz T, Azbel L, Liberman AR, Polonsky M, Dvoriak S, Saichuk N, Taxman F, Altice FL. Aligning public health and public safety: Probation as a touchpoint to identify and link patients with opioid use disorder to opioid agonist treatment. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 3:e0002349. [PMID: 37910486 PMCID: PMC10619786 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People in criminal justice settings (CJS) have high rates of opioid use disorder (OUD) and HIV. Probation is part of the CJS and congregates many individuals with high rates of mental health and substance use disorders relative to the general population; nevertheless, probation remains a major improvement to incarceration. As a steppingstone to full decarceration efforts, community supervision settings like probation can be leveraged as "touchpoints" to identify and link people with OUD (and other co-morbid conditions) to treatment and reduce criminal activity. METHODOLOGY To determine the feasibility of a modified screening, brief intervention and referral to treatment (SBIRT) strategy to link probationers to opioid agonist therapies (OAT) in the newly created probation system in Ukraine, we conducted a single-arm SBIRT intervention in eight probation centers in four Ukrainian administrative regions. For those screening positive for OUD, interest in OAT was assessed before and after a brief intervention. Those interested in OAT were referred to community OAT services. Participants with OUD also underwent HIV testing. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of the 1,298 consecutive individuals screened, 208 (16.0%) met criteria for opioid dependence. Of these, 122 (58.7%) enrolled in brief intervention, of which 54 (44.3%) had HIV and 14 (25.9%) of these were newly diagnosed. After the brief intervention, interest in starting OAT increased significantly from a median of 7.0 to 8.0 (P = <0.001) using a 10-point scale. Thirty (N = 30; 24.6%) of the enrolled participants initiated OAT and 21 of these (70%) were retained in treatment for 6 months. SIGNIFICANCE The prevalence of OUD (and HIV) is high among people in probation in Ukraine. SBIRT can identify a large number of people eligible for OAT, many of whom were willing to initiate and remain on OAT. Integrating SBIRT into probation can potentially assist with OAT scale-up and help address HIV prevention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel J. Bromberg
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Samy J. Galvez de Leon
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Taylor Litz
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Lyu Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Amanda R. Liberman
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | | | - Faye Taxman
- George Mason University Schar School of Policy and Government, Arlington, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
- Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, United States of America
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Busschots D, Kremer C, Bielen R, Koc ÖM, Heyens L, Nevens F, Hens N, Robaeys G. Hepatitis C prevalence in incarcerated settings between 2013–2021: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health 2022; 22:2159. [PMID: 36419013 PMCID: PMC9685883 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14623-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The introduction of highly effective direct-acting antiviral therapy has changed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment paradigm. However, a recent update on HCV epidemiology in incarcerated settings is necessary to accurately determine the extent of the problem, provide information to policymakers and public healthcare, and meet the World Health Organization's goals by 2030. This systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to determine the prevalence of HCV Ab and RNA in incarcerated settings. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science for papers published between January 2013 and August 2021. We included studies with information on the prevalence of HCV Ab or RNA in incarcerated settings. A random-effects meta-analysis was done to calculate the pooled prevalence and meta-regression to explore heterogeneity. Results Ninety-two unique sources reporting data for 36 countries were included. The estimated prevalence of HCV Ab ranged from 0.3% to 74.4%. HCV RNA prevalence (available in 46 sources) ranged from 0% to 56.3%. Genotypes (available in 19 sources) 1(a) and 3 were most frequently reported in incarcerated settings. HCV/HIV coinfection (available in 36 sources) was highest in Italy, Estonia, Pakistan, and Spain. Statistical analysis revealed that almost all observed heterogeneity reflects real differences in prevalence between studies, considering I2 was very high in the meta-analysis. Conclusions HCV in incarcerated settings is still a significant problem with a higher prevalence than in the general population. It is of utmost importance to start screening for HCV (Ab and RNA) in incarcerated settings to give clear, reliable and recent figures to plan further treatment. This is all in the context of meeting the 2030 WHO targets which are only less than a decade away. Trial registration PROSPERO: CRD42020162616 Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-022-14623-6.
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Dauria E, Skipalska H, Gopalakrishnan L, Savenko O, Sabadash L, Tolou-Shams M, Flanigan T, Navario P, Castillo TP. Exploratory qualitative study examining acceptability of strategies to improve access to substance use treatment and HIV prevention services for young adults on probation in Ukraine. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e061909. [PMID: 36418138 PMCID: PMC9685251 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-061909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Adults <30 years' of age experience elevated HIV-rates in Ukraine. Young adults (YA) involved in the criminal justice system (CJS) are at an increased HIV-risk given elevated rates of substance use, engagement in high-risk sexual behaviour and insufficient healthcare access. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the acceptability of strategies to refer and link CJS-involved YA to HIV-prevention and substance use treatment services from CJS settings. DESIGN We conducted qualitative individual interviews with CJS-involved YA (18-24 years), and CJS stakeholders. Interviews were guided by the Social Ecological Model. Interviews with YA explored substance use and sexual behaviour, and acceptability of strategies to link YA to HIV-prevention and substance use treatment services from CJS. Stakeholder interviews explored system practices addressing HIV-prevention and substance use and addiction. Data were analysed using Inductive Thematic Analysis. SETTING Data were collected in three locales, prior to the 2022 Russian-Ukrainian conflict. PARTICIPANTS Thirty YA and 20 stakeholders. RESULTS Most YA were men, reported recent injection drug use and were M age=23 years. YA were receptive to linkage to HIV-prevention services from CJS; this was shaped by self-perceived HIV-risk and lack of access to HIV-prevention services. YA were less receptive to being referred to substance use treatment services, citing a lack of self-perceived need and mistrust in treatment efficacy. Stakeholders identified multilevel contextual factors shaping acceptability of HIV-prevention and substance use treatment from CJS (eg, stigma). CONCLUSIONS Findings should be reviewed as a historical record of the pre-conflict context. In that context, we identified strategies that may have been used to help curtail the transmission of HIV in a population most-at-risk, including CJS-involved YA. This study demonstrates that improving access to substance use treatment and HIV-prevention services via CJS linkage were acceptable if provided in the right conditions (eg, low or no-cost, confidential).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Dauria
- Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | | | - Marina Tolou-Shams
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | | | - Peter Navario
- School of Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- HealthRight International, New York, New York, USA
| | - Theresa P Castillo
- School of Public Health, New York University, New York, New York, USA
- HealthRight International, New York, New York, USA
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Newbury-Birch D, Ferguson J, Connor N, Divers A, Waller G. A Rapid Systematic Review of Worldwide Alcohol Use Disorders and Brief Alcohol Interventions in the Criminal Justice System. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:900186. [PMID: 35873244 PMCID: PMC9301009 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.900186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the relationship is complex, there is an association between alcohol use and offending behavior with an interplay between the amount drank, the pattern of drinking and individual and contextual factors. Alcohol brief interventions have been shown to be effective in primary healthcare, however there is currently a lack of compelling evidence in the criminal justice system. We carried out a rapid systematic review of the literature, which updated our review conducted in 2016. Following systematic searches, we included 36 papers on prevalence and 13 papers on effectiveness. Between 26 and 88% of individuals in the policy custody setting scored positive for an alcohol use disorder. In the magistrates court this was 95%; 31-86% in the probation setting and between 19 and 86% in the prison system. In relation to probable dependence, between 21 and 38% of individuals were shown to have probable alcohol dependence in the police custody suite setting; 39 per cent in the magistrate court system; 17-36% in the probation setting and between 18 and 48% in the prison system. This compares to 6% in the general population. We included 13 studies of effectiveness with differing outcome measures and outcomes. We conclude more studies are needed in the field to develop the current evidence base.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothy Newbury-Birch
- School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Law, Teesside University, Middlesbrough, United Kingdom
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Liebrenz M, Bhugra D, Buadze A, Schleifer R, Smith A, van Voren R. Mental health and welfare of prisoners of war and people living in detention in the Ukrainian conflict. Lancet Psychiatry 2022; 9:344-345. [PMID: 35344707 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(22)00106-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael Liebrenz
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
| | - Dinesh Bhugra
- Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Anna Buadze
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Psychiatric Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roman Schleifer
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Alexander Smith
- Department of Forensic Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Robert van Voren
- Federation Global Initiative on Psychiatry, Hilversum, Netherlands; Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
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Cocco N, Rosello A, Tavoschi L. Protecting the health of people living in Ukrainian detention facilities. THE LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 7:e400-e401. [DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(22)00084-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Global prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Virol 2022; 167:1025-1039. [PMID: 35165781 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-022-05382-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Hepatitis C virus (HCV), one of the most significant causes of liver inflammation, has a high annual mortality rate. The unfavorable hygiene conditions and inadequate health monitoring in many prisons increase the risk of blood-borne infections such as hepatitis C. The growing incidence of this disease among prisoners results in overspill transmission to the general population from undiagnosed prisoners that have been released. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of hepatitis C among the world's prison population. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on the prevalence of hepatitis C was carried out using the keywords "Prevalence", "Hepatitis C", and "Prisoner" in the Iranian and international databases SID, MagIran, Iran Doc, Science Direct, Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science (WoS) from January 1990 to September 2020. After transferring the articles to the information management software EndNote and eliminating duplicate studies, the remaining studies were reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, three stages of primary and secondary evaluation, and qualitative evaluation. Comprehensive meta-analysis software and Begg and Mazumdar and I2 tests were used for data analysis and assessment of dissemination bias, and heterogeneity, respectively. Out of 93 studies (22 from Asia, 26 from Europe, seven from Africa, 29 from America, and nine from Australia) with a total sample size of 145,823 subjects, the prevalence of hepatitis C in prisoners worldwide was estimated to be 17.7% (95% confidence interval, 15-20.7%). The highest prevalence of hepatitis C on the continents included in this study was reported in prisoners incarcerated in Australia and Oceania, with 28.4% (95% CI: 21.6-36.4) in nine studies, and Europe, with 25.1% (95% CI: 19.4-31.8) in 26 studies. All studies used an ELISA test for the detection of HCV antibodies. The results showed a prevalence of HCV of 17.7% in prisoners worldwide, ranging between 10 and 30% over five continents (Asia, Europe, America, Africa, and Australia and Oceania). The highest prevalence was reported in Australia and Oceania (28.4%), indicating the need to pay more attention to this issue on the continent. It is necessary to reduce the incidence of the disease in prisons by appropriate policy-making and the development of accurate and practical programs, including the distribution of free syringes and examination, testing, and screening of prisoners.
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Jennings L, Branson CF, Maxwell AM, Winkelman TNA, Shlafer RJ. Physicians' perspectives on continuity of care for patients involved in the criminal justice system: A qualitative study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0254578. [PMID: 34260620 PMCID: PMC8279398 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0254578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2016, over 11 million individuals were admitted to prisons and jails in the United States. Because the majority of these individuals will return to the community, addressing their health needs requires coordination between community and correctional health care providers. However, few systems exist to facilitate this process and little is known about how physicians perceive and manage these transitions. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to characterize physicians' views on transitions both into and out of incarceration and describe how knowledge of a patient's criminal justice involvement impacts patient care plans. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted between October 2018 and May 2019 with physicians from three community clinics in Hennepin County, Minnesota. Team members used a hybrid approach of deductive and inductive coding, in which a priori codes were defined based on the interview guide while also allowing for data-driven codes to emerge. RESULTS Four themes emerged related to physicians' perceptions on continuity of care for patients with criminal justice involvement. Physicians identified disruptions in patient-physician relationships, barriers to accessing prescription medications, disruptions in insurance coverage, and problems with sharing medical records, as factors contributing to discontinuity of care for patients entering and exiting incarceration. These factors impacted patients differently depending on the direction of the transition. CONCLUSIONS Our findings identified four disruptions to continuity of care that physicians viewed as key barriers to successful transitions into and out of incarceration. These disruptions are unlikely to be effectively addressed at the provider level and will require system-level changes, which Medicaid and managed care organizations could play a leading role in developing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Latasha Jennings
- Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Carolina Fernández Branson
- School of Communication, Writing and the Arts, Department of Professional Communication, Metropolitan State University, Saint Paul, MN, United States of America
| | - Andrea M. Maxwell
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Tyler N. A. Winkelman
- Health, Homelessness, and Criminal Justice Lab, Hennepin Healthcare Research Institute, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
- General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota and Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
| | - Rebecca J. Shlafer
- Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States of America
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Ahmadi Gharaei H, Fararouei M, Mirzazadeh A, Sharifnia G, Rohani-Rasaf M, Bastam D, Rahimi J, Kouhestani M, Rezaian S, Dianatinasab M. The global and regional prevalence of hepatitis C and B co-infections among prisoners living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Infect Dis Poverty 2021; 10:93. [PMID: 34210349 PMCID: PMC8252262 DOI: 10.1186/s40249-021-00876-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are common among individuals with human immune deficiency virus (HIV) infection worldwide. In this study, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature to estimate the global and regional prevalence of HCV, HBV and HIV coinfections among HIV-positive prisoners. METHODS We searched PubMed via MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, and Web of science (ISI) to identify studies that reported the prevalence of HBV and HCV among prisoners living with HIV. We used an eight-item checklist for critically appraisal studies of prevalence/incidence of a health problem to assess the quality of publications in the included 48 cross-sectional and 4 cohort studies. We used random-effect models and meta-regression for the meta-analysis of the results of the included studies. RESULTS The number of the included studies were 50 for HCV-HIV, and 23 for HBV-HIV co-infections. The pooled prevalence rates of the coinfections were 12% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.0-16.0] for HBV-HIV and 62% (95% CI 53.0-71.0) for HCV-HIV. Among HIV-positive prisoners who reported drug injection, the prevalence of HBV increased to 15% (95% CI 5.0-23.0), and the HCV prevalence increased to 78% (95% CI 51.0-100). The prevalence of HBV-HIV coinfection among prisoners ranged from 3% in the East Mediterranean region to 27% in the American region. Also, the prevalence of HCV-HIV coinfections among prisoners ranged from 6% in Europe to 98% in the East Mediterranean regions. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggested that the high prevalence of HBV and HCV co-infection among HIV-positive prisoners, particularly among those with a history of drug injection, varies significantly across the globe. The results of Meta-regression analysis showed a sliding increase in the prevalence of the studied co-infections among prisoners over the past decades, rising a call for better screening and treatment programs targeting this high-risk population. To prevent the above coinfections among prisoners, aimed public health services (e.g. harm reduction via access to clean needles), human rights, equity, and ethics are to be seriously delivered or practiced in prisons. Protocol registration number: CRD42018115707 (in the PROSPERO international).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hasan Ahmadi Gharaei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Health, Faculty of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Mohammad Fararouei
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Mirzazadeh
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Institute for Global Health Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Golnaz Sharifnia
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.
| | - Marzieh Rohani-Rasaf
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran
| | - Dariush Bastam
- Medical School, Yasuj University of Medical Sciences, Yasuj, Iran
| | - Jamileh Rahimi
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran
| | - Mostafa Kouhestani
- Department of Health, Faculty of Public Health, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Gonabad University of Medical Sciences, Gonabad, Iran
| | - Shahab Rezaian
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Mostafa Dianatinasab
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences, Shahroud, Iran.
- Department of Complex Genetics and Epidemiology, School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism, Maastricht University, Universiteitssingel 40 (Room C5.570), 6229 ER, Maastricht, the Netherlands.
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12
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Prevalence and Correlates of Insomnia in People Living With HIV in Indonesia: A Descriptive, Cross-sectional Study. J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care 2021; 31:606-614. [PMID: 32639267 DOI: 10.1097/jnc.0000000000000192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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13
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Trickey A, Semchuk N, Saliuk T, Sazonova Y, Varetska O, Walker JG, Lim AG, Stone J, Vickerman P. Has resourcing of non-governmental harm-reduction organizations in Ukraine improved HIV prevention and treatment outcomes for people who inject drugs? Findings from multiple bio-behavioural surveys. J Int AIDS Soc 2020; 23:e25608. [PMID: 32851812 PMCID: PMC7450208 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine have high prevalences of HIV and hepatitis C (HCV). Since the turn of the century, various organizations have funded non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ukraine to provide PWID with needles and syringes, condoms, HIV and HCV testing, and improve linkage to opioid agonist therapy (OAT) and HIV treatment. We investigated whether contact with these NGOs was associated with improved HIV prevention and treatment outcomes among PWID. METHODS Five rounds of respondent-driven sampled integrated bio-behavioural survey data (2009 [N = 3962], 2011 [N = 9069], 2013 [N = 9502], 2015 [N = 9405], and 2017 [N = 10076]) among PWID in Ukraine (including HIV/HCV testing and questionnaires) were analysed using mixed-effect logistic regression models (mixed-effects: city, year). These regression models assessed associations between being an NGO client and various behavioural, OAT, HIV testing and HIV treatment outcomes, adjusting for demographic characteristics (age, gender, lifetime imprisonment, registration in a drug abuse clinic, education level). We also assessed associations between being an NGO client and being HIV positive or HCV positive, likewise adjusting for demographic characteristics (as above). RESULTS NGO clients were more likely to have received HIV testing ever (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.37, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4.97 to 5.80) or in the last year (aOR 3.37, 95% CI: 3.20 to 3.54), to have used condoms at last sexual intercourse (aOR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.30 to 1.44) and sterile needles at last injection (aOR 1.37, 95% CI: 1.20 to 1.56), to be currently (aOR 4.19, 95% CI: 3.48 to 5.05) or ever (aOR 2.52, 95% CI: 2.32 to 2.74) on OAT, and to have received syringes (aOR 109.89, 95% CI: 99.26 to 121.66) or condoms (aOR 54.39, 95% CI: 50.17 to 58.96) in the last year. PWID who were HIV positive (aOR 1.40, 95% CI: 1.33 to 1.48) or HCV positive (aOR 1.57, 95% CI: 1.49 to 1.65) were more likely to have contact with NGOs, with HIV positive PWID in contact with NGOs being more likely to be registered at AIDS centres (aOR 2.34, 95% CI: 1.88 to 2.92) and to be on antiretroviral therapy (aOR 1.60, 95% CI: 1.40 to 1.83). CONCLUSIONS Contact with PWID targeted NGOs in Ukraine is associated with consistently better preventive, HIV testing and HIV treatment outcomes, suggesting a beneficial impact of harm reduction NGO programming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Trickey
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Aaron G Lim
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Jack Stone
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
| | - Peter Vickerman
- Population Health SciencesUniversity of BristolBristolUnited Kingdom
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14
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Li Q, Chen S, Liu K, Long D, Liu D, Jing Z, Huang X. Differences in Gut Microbial Diversity are Driven by Drug Use and Drug Cessation by Either Compulsory Detention or Methadone Maintenance Treatment. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030411. [PMID: 32183228 PMCID: PMC7143234 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this work, we investigate differences in gut microbial diversity driven by drug use or by the widely used methods for drug cessation: methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and compulsory detention (CD). Methods: 99 participants (28 CD participants, 16 MMT patients, 27 drug users, and 28 healthy controls) were selected using strict inclusion criteria. Nutritional intake and gut microbial diversity were analyzed with bioinformatics tools and SPSS 20.0. Results: Alpha diversity was not significantly different among groups, whereas beta diversity of gut microbiota and nutrient intake were significantly higher among MMT patients. Taxa were unevenly distributed between groups, with drug users having the highest proportion of Ruminococcus and MMT patients having the highest abundance of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Conclusion: Drug use, cessation method, and diet contribute to shaping human gut communities. High beta diversity among MMT patients is likely driven by methadone use and high nutrient intake, leading to increased orexin A and enrichment for beneficial bacteria, while diversity in CD participants is largely influenced by diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaoyan Li
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Siqi Chen
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Ke Liu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Danfeng Long
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Diru Liu
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
| | - Zhengchao Jing
- Mengzi Center for Disease Prevention and Control, Mengzi 661199, China
- Correspondence: (Z.J.); (X.H.)
| | - Xiaodan Huang
- School of Public Health, Lanzhou University, No. 222 TianshuiNanlu, Lanzhou 730000, China; (Q.L.); (S.C.); (K.L.); (D.L.); (D.L.)
- Correspondence: (Z.J.); (X.H.)
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15
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Culbert GJ, Waluyo A, Wang M, Putri TA, Bazazi AR, Altice FL. Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Among Incarcerated Persons with HIV: Associations with Methadone and Perceived Safety. AIDS Behav 2019; 23:2048-2058. [PMID: 30465106 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-018-2344-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
With adequate support, people with HIV (PWH) may achieve high levels of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) during incarceration. We examined factors associated with ART utilization and adherence among incarcerated PWH (N = 150) in Indonesia. ART utilization was positively associated with HIV status disclosure (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 5.5, 95% CI 1.2-24.1, p = 0.023), drug dependency (aOR = 3.9, 95% CI 1.2-12.6, p = 0.022), health service satisfaction (aOR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.7-6.2, p < 0.001), and perceived need for medical treatment (aOR = 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.5, p = 0.011), and negatively associated with chance locus of control (aOR = 0.3, 95% CI 0.1-0.7, p = 0.013). Most participants utilizing ART (74.5%) reported less than "perfect" ART adherence. ART adherence was independently associated with perceived personal safety (β = 0.21, 95% CI 0.01-0.40, p = 0.032) and methadone utilization (β = 0.84, 95% CI 0.10-1.67, p = 0.047). PWH receiving methadone had a sixfold higher adjusted odds of being highly-adherent to ART (aOR = 6.3, 95% CI 1.1-35.7, p = 0.036). Interventions that increase methadone utilization and personal safety may improve ART adherence among incarcerated PWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel J Culbert
- Department of Health Systems Science, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, 845 S. Damen Ave. Rm. 910, Chicago, IL, USA.
- Center for HIV/AIDS Nursing Research, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia.
| | - Agung Waluyo
- Center for HIV/AIDS Nursing Research, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Melinda Wang
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tissa Aulia Putri
- Center for HIV/AIDS Nursing Research, Faculty of Nursing, Universitas Indonesia, Depok, Indonesia
| | - Alexander R Bazazi
- Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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16
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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. Int J Prison Health 2019; 14:175-187. [PMID: 30274558 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-03-2017-0016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose Within-prison drug injection (WPDI) is a particularly high HIV risk behavior, yet has not been examined in Central Asia. A unique opportunity in Kyrgyzstan where both methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) and needle-syringe programs (NSP) exist allowed further inquiry into this high risk environment. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach A randomly selected, nationally representative sample of prisoners within six months of release in Kyrgyzstan completed biobehavioral surveys. Inquiry about drug injection focused on three time periods (lifetime, 30 days before incarceration and during incarceration). The authors performed bivariate and multivariable generalized linear modeling with quasi-binomial distribution and logit link to determine the independent correlates of current WPDI. Findings Of 368 prisoners (13 percent women), 109 (35 percent) had ever injected drugs, with most (86 percent) reporting WPDI. Among those reporting WPDI, 34.8 percent had initiated drug injection within prison. Despite nearly all (95 percent) drug injectors having initiated MMT previously, current MMT use was low with coverage only reaching 11 percent of drug injectors. Two factors were independently correlated with WPDI: drug injection in the 30 days before the current incarceration (AOR=12.6; 95%CI=3.3-48.9) and having hepatitis C infection (AOR: 10.1; 95%CI=2.5-41.0). Originality/value This study is the only examination of WPDI from a nationally representative survey of prisoners where both MMT and NSP are available in prisons and in a region where HIV incidence and mortality are increasing. WPDI levels were extraordinarily high in the presence of low uptake of prison-based MMT. Interventions that effectively scale-up MMT are urgently required as well as an investigation of the environmental factors that contribute to the interplay between MMT and WPDI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Azbel
- Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | | | - Chethan Bachireddy
- University of Pennsylvania Department of Medicine , Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | | | - Natalya Shumskaya
- AIDS Foundation East-West in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgystan
| | | | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Medicine at the School of Medicine, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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17
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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 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1573969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Eastern European and Central Asian (EECA) is the only region globally where HIV incidence continues to rise. HIV is concentrated among high risk groups like prisoners. HIV prevalence is higher among women than men in both prisons and communities. Data are lacking on the HIV care continuum among female prisoners to inform effective HIV prevention and treatment interventions. This study examined HIV risk, prevalence of infectious diseases, access to care, and psychiatric comorbidities among a representative sample of 220 female prisoners in Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan, and Ukraine. Prevalence of comorbid substance use and psychiatric disorders was high with nearly one-third reporting pre-incarceration drug injection and alcohol use disorder (AUD). Half of the sample reported anxiety and depression. Among the subset of 26 (11.8%) women testing HIV+, 44% had CD4 counts <350 cells/μL but less than 2% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Most (88.5%) women with HIV were in Ukraine, where women also experienced higher rates of hepatitis C than in Azerbaijan or Kyrgyzstan. Women in Kyrgyzstan prisons experienced higher rates of syphilis compared to the other two countries. Findings suggest that, to achieve global HIV prevention and treatment targets, HIV testing and linkage to care must be scaled up among incarcerated women in the EECA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yerina S Ranjit
- a Department of Internal Medicine, AIDS Program , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- b London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine , London , UK
| | - Archana Krishnan
- c Department of Communication , University at Albany, State University of New York , Albany , YN , USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- a Department of Internal Medicine, AIDS Program , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA
| | - Jaimie P Meyer
- a Department of Internal Medicine, AIDS Program , Yale University , New Haven , CT , USA
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18
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Moazen B, Saeedi Moghaddam S, Silbernagl MA, Lotfizadeh M, Bosworth RJ, Alammehrjerdi Z, Kinner SA, Wirtz AL, Bärnighausen TW, Stöver HJ, Dolan KA. Prevalence of Drug Injection, Sexual Activity, Tattooing, and Piercing Among Prison Inmates. Epidemiol Rev 2018; 40:58-69. [PMID: 29860343 DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxy002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Prisoners engage in a range of risk behaviors that can lead to the transmission of viral infections, such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In this review, we summarize the epidemiologic literature from 2007 to 2017 on 4 key risk behaviors for human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus among prisoners globally: drug injection, sexual activity, tattooing, and piercing. Of 9,303 peer-reviewed and 4,150 gray literature publications, 140 and 14, respectively, met inclusion criteria covering 53 countries (28%). Regions with high levels of injection drug use were Asia Pacific (20.2%), Eastern Europe and Central Asia (17.3%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (11.3%), although the confidence interval for Latin America was high. Low levels of injection drug use in prison were found in African regions. The highest levels of sexual activity in prison were in Europe and North America (12.1%) and West and Central Africa (13.6%); low levels were reported from the Middle East and North African regions (1.5%). High levels of tattooing were reported from Europe and North America (14.7%), Asia Pacific (21.4%), and Latin America (45.4%). Prisons are burdened with a high prevalence of infectious diseases and risk behaviors for transmission of these diseases, and, commonly, a striking lack of evidence-based infection control measures, even when such measures are available in the surrounding community. Given that most prisoners return to these communities, failure to implement effective responses has repercussions not only prisoner health but also for public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Moazen
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Sahar Saeedi Moghaddam
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Masoud Lotfizadeh
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.,Department of Community Health, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Rebecca J Bosworth
- Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Zahra Alammehrjerdi
- Program of International Research and Training, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Stuart A Kinner
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia.,Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Andrea L Wirtz
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Till W Bärnighausen
- Institute of Public Health, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Global Health and Population, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.,Africa Health Research Institute, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
| | - Heino J Stöver
- Department of Health and Social Work, Institute of Addiction Research
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19
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Mundt AP, Baranyi G, Gabrysch C, Fazel S. Substance Use During Imprisonment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Epidemiol Rev 2018; 40:70-81. [PMID: 29584860 PMCID: PMC5982797 DOI: 10.1093/epirev/mxx016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Substance use disorders are among the most common health problems of people involved with the criminal justice system. Scaling up addiction services in prisons is a global public health and human rights challenge, especially in poorly resourced countries. We systematically reviewed the prevalence of substance use in prison populations in low- and middle-income countries. We searched for studies reporting prevalence rates of nicotine, alcohol, illicit drug, and injection drug use during imprisonment in unselected samples of imprisoned people in low- and middle-income countries. Data meta-analysis was conducted and sources of heterogeneity were examined by meta-regression. Prevalence of nicotine use during imprisonment ranged from 5% to 87%, with a random-effects pooled estimate of 56% (95% confidence interval (CI): 45, 66) with significant geographical heterogeneity. Alcohol use varied from 1% to 76% (pooled prevalence, 16%, 95% CI: 9, 25). Approximately one-quarter of people (25%; 95% CI: 17, 33; range, 0–78) used illicit drugs during imprisonment. The prevalence of injection drug use varied from 0% to 26% (pooled estimate, 1.6%, 95% CI: 0.8, 3.0). Lifetime substance use was investigated in secondary analyses. The high prevalence of smoking in prison suggests that policies regarding smoking need careful review. Furthermore, the findings underscore the importance of timely, scalable, and available treatments for alcohol and illegal drug use by people involved with the criminal justice system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adrian P Mundt
- Medical Faculty, Universidad Diego Portales, Santiago, Chile.,Medical School, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Gergo Baranyi
- Center for Research on Environment Society and Health, School of Geosciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.,Institute and Polyclinic for Occupational and Social Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, Germany
| | - Caroline Gabrysch
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy Campus Mitte, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Seena Fazel
- Department of Psychiatry, Oxford University, Oxford, United Kingdom
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20
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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. J Urban Health 2018; 95:508-522. [PMID: 29728898 PMCID: PMC6095752 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-018-0256-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Facing competing demands with limited resources following release from prison, people who inject drugs (PWID) may neglect health needs, with grave implications including relapse, overdose, and non-continuous care. We examined the relative importance of health-related tasks after release compared to tasks of everyday life among a total sample of 577 drug users incarcerated in Ukraine, Azerbaijan, and Kyrgyzstan. A proxy measure of whether participants identified a task as applicable (easy or hard) versus not applicable was used to determine the importance of each task. Correlates of the importance of health-related reentry tasks were analyzed using logistic regression, with a parsimonious model being derived using Bayesian lasso method. Despite all participants having substance use disorders and high prevalence of comorbidities, participants in all three countries prioritized finding a source of income, reconnecting with family, and staying out of prison over receiving treatment for substance use disorders, general health conditions, and initiating methadone treatment. Participants with poorer general health were more likely to prioritize treatment for substance use disorders. While prior drug injection and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) correlated with any interest in methadone in all countries, only in Ukraine did a small number of participants prioritize getting methadone as the most important post-release task. While community-based OAT is available in all three countries and prison-based OAT only in Kyrgyzstan, Kyrgyz prisoners were less likely to choose help staying off drugs and getting methadone. Overall, prisoners consider methadone treatment inapplicable to their pre-release planning. Future studies that involve patient decision-making and scale-up of OAT within prison settings are needed to better improve individual and public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Rozanova
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Olga Morozova
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Chethan Bachireddy
- University of California in San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Center for Health Equity Research and Promotion, Philadelphia Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Jacob M Izenberg
- University of California in San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Sergiy Dvoryak
- Academy of Labor, Social Relations and Tourism, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale University School of Medicine, 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
- Centre of Excellence of Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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21
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Bielen R, Stumo SR, Halford R, Werling K, Reic T, Stöver H, Robaeys G, Lazarus JV. Harm reduction and viral hepatitis C in European prisons: a cross-sectional survey of 25 countries. Harm Reduct J 2018; 15:25. [PMID: 29751763 PMCID: PMC5948815 DOI: 10.1186/s12954-018-0230-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Current estimates suggest that 15% of all prisoners worldwide are chronically infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and this number is even higher in regions with high rates of injecting drug use. Although harm reduction services such as opioid substitution therapy (OST) and needle and syringe programs (NSPs) are effective in preventing the further spread of HCV and HIV, the extent to which these are available in prisons varies significantly across countries. Methods The Hep-CORE study surveyed liver patient groups from 25 European countries in 2016 and mid-2017 on national policies related to harm reduction, testing/screening, and treatment for HCV in prison settings. Results from the cross-sectional survey were compared to the data from available reports and the peer-reviewed literature to determine the overall degree to which European countries implement evidence-based HCV recommendations in prison settings. Results Patient groups in nine countries (36%) identified prisoners as a high-risk population target for HCV testing/screening. Twenty-one countries (84%) provide HCV treatment in prisons. However, the extent of coverage of these treatment programs varies widely. Two countries (8%) have NSPs officially available in prisons in all parts of the country. Eleven countries (44%) provide OST in prisons in all parts of the country without additional requirements. Conclusion Despite the existence of evidence-based recommendations, infectious disease prevention measures such as harm reduction programs are inadequate in European prison settings. Harm reduction, HCV testing/screening, and treatment should be scaled up in prison settings in order to progress towards eliminating HCV as a public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rob Bielen
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium
| | - Samya R Stumo
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Carrer del Roselló, 132, 4th, ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Klára Werling
- 2nd Department of Internal Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tatjana Reic
- European Liver Patients' Association (ELPA), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Heino Stöver
- Institute for Addiction Research, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Geert Robaeys
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Ziekenhuis Oost Limburg, Genk, Belgium.,Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University Hospitals KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey V Lazarus
- Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Carrer del Roselló, 132, 4th, ES-08036, Barcelona, Spain. .,CHIP, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Syphilis continues to cause morbidity and mortality worldwide. While syphilis infection is easily identifiable and treatable, rates of syphilis infection continue to increase among select populations in high-income countries and remain at endemic levels in low- and middle-income counties. RECENT FINDINGS World Health Organization recommended strategies have led to the dual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of syphilis and HIV in several countries, however outbreaks among select populations need to be adequately addressed. SUMMARY Continued vigilance and investment is needed to address syphilis worldwide. The epidemiology of syphilis differs in high-income and low- and middle-income counties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah Kojima
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095
| | - Jeffrey D Klausner
- David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90095
- Fielding School of Public Health, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, 90024
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Marcus R, Bojko MJ, Mazhnaya A, Makarenko I, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Altice FL, Springer SA. A qualitative assessment of attitudes about and preferences for extended-release naltrexone, a new pharmacotherapy to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. J Subst Abuse Treat 2018; 86:86-93. [PMID: 29415856 PMCID: PMC5808584 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsat.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2017] [Revised: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 01/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Numerous individual barriers, including negative attitudes toward opioid agonist therapies (OAT), have undermined HIV prevention efforts in Ukraine where the epidemic is concentrated in people who inject drugs (PWID). The recent availability of extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), an opioid antagonist, provides new opportunities for treatment and prevention, but little is known about patient preferences. We conducted qualitative analysis using focus groups (FG) of PWID recruited based on OAT experience: currently, previously, and never on OAT in five Ukrainian cities. FG included 199 PWID in 25 focus groups. Focus group transcripts were coded and analyzed using a modified grounded theory approach to identify common themes and domains related to attitudes about and preferences for XR-NTX, relative to other treatments. Interest in XR-NTX was supported if supervised opioid withdrawal and psychological support were assured. Other factors supporting XR-NTX included a focus on younger PWID early in their injection career and motivated for recovery. Perceptions of recovery included not receiving psychoactive medications like methadone or buprenorphine. With more information, XR-NTX could be a viable option for PWID in Ukraine, especially if concerns regarding withdrawal and psychological support are adequately addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthanne Marcus
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Martha J Bojko
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | | | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence on Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sandra A Springer
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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Marotta P, El-Bassel N, Terlikbayeva A, Mergenova G, Primbetova S, Wu E, Gilbert L. Sexual Risks and Policing among Male Migrant and Non-migrant Market Vendors in Central Asia. J Urban Health 2018; 95:116-128. [PMID: 28681341 PMCID: PMC5862692 DOI: 10.1007/s11524-017-0171-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The following study examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing among external migrant, internal migrant, and non-migrant male market workers in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Negative binomial regression and logistic regressions examined associations between sexual risk behaviors and policing (questioning by market officials and migration police, and arrest) for 1342 external, internal, and non-migrant workers recruited using respondent-driven sampling (RDS). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and adjusted odds ratios (OR) were stratified by migration status. External migrants were more likely than non-migrants to experience questioning by market officials (IRR = 2.07, p<0.01), migration police (IRR = 3.60, p<0.001), and arrest (OR = 5.32, p<0.001). When stratified by migration status, being under the influence of drugs or alcohol (IRR = 3.04, p<0.01) and sex with men (IRR = 2.71, p<0.05) were associated with being questioned or harassed by market police among external migrants. External migrant who reported having more than one sex partner while traveling were also more likely to report being arrested than external migrants (OR = 3.92, p<0.05). Meeting HIV prevention needs of labor migrants demands acknowledging the role of policing and allocating sufficient resources to support the implementation of HIV prevention programs in these settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Marotta
- Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Nabila El-Bassel
- Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | | | - Gaukhar Mergenova
- Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | | | - Elwin Wu
- Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Louisa Gilbert
- Columbia University, 1255 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY, 10027, USA
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25
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Bick J, Culbert G, Al-Darraji HA, Koh C, Pillai V, Kamarulzaman A, Altice F. Healthcare resources are inadequate to address the burden of illness among HIV-infected male prisoners in Malaysia. Int J Prison Health 2017; 12:253-269. [PMID: 27921633 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-06-2016-0017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Criminalization of drug use in Malaysia has concentrated people who inject drugs (PWID) and people living with HIV into prisons where health services are minimal and HIV-related mortality is high. Few studies have comprehensively assessed the complex health needs of this population. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach From October 2012 through March 2013, 221 sequentially selected HIV-infected male prisoners underwent a comprehensive health assessment that included a structured history, physical examination, and clinically indicated diagnostic studies. Findings Participants were mostly PWID (83.7 percent) and diagnosed with HIV while incarcerated (66.9 percent). Prevalence of hepatitis C virus (90.4 percent), untreated syphilis (8.1 percent), active (13.1 percent), and latent (81.2 percent) tuberculosis infection was several fold higher than non-prisoner Malaysian adults, as was tobacco use (71.9 percent) and heavy drinking (30.8 percent). Most (89.5 percent) were aware of their HIV status before the current incarceration, yet few had been engaged previously in HIV care, including pre-incarceration CD4 monitoring (24.7 percent) or prescribed antiretroviral therapy (ART) (16.7 percent). Despite most (73.7 percent) meeting Malaysia's criteria for ART (CD4 <350 cells/ μL), less than half (48.4 percent) ultimately received it. Nearly one-quarter (22.8 percent) of those with AIDS (<200 cells/ μL) did not receive ART. Originality/value Drug addiction and communicable disease comorbidity, which interact negatively and synergistically with HIV and pose serious public health threats, are highly prevalent in HIV-infected prisoners. Interventions to address the critical shortage of healthcare providers and large gaps in treatment for HIV and other co-morbid conditions are urgently needed to meet the health needs of HIV-infected Malaysian prisoners, most of whom will soon transition to the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Bick
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,California Medical Facility, California Correctional Health Care Services, Vacaville, California, USA
| | - Gabriel Culbert
- Department of Health Systems Science, University of Illinois at Chicago , College of Nursing, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Haider A Al-Darraji
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre for International Health, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, University of Otago , Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Clayton Koh
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Veena Pillai
- Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Adeeba Kamarulzaman
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Frederick Altice
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Centre of Excellence for Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine , Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale University School of Public Health , New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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26
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Domingues RMSM, Leal MDC, Pereira APE, Ayres B, Sánchez AR, Larouzé B. Prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy in incarcerated women and the incidence of congenital syphilis in births in prison in Brazil. CAD SAUDE PUBLICA 2017; 33:e00183616. [PMID: 29166489 DOI: 10.1590/0102-311x00183616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy, the mother to child transmission of syphilis and the incidence of congenital syphilis in incarcerated women in Brazil; to compare these rates to those observed in pregnant women outside of jail; and to verify the maternal factors associated with syphilis infection during pregnancy in free and incarcerated women. We used data from two nationwide studies conducted during the period 2011-2014. The Birth in Brazil study included 23,894 free women cared for in 266 hospitals. The Maternal and Infant Health in Prisons study included 495 incarcerated pregnant women or mothers living with their children, according to a census conducted in 33 female prisons. The same case definitions and data collection methods were used in both studies. The chi-square test was used to compare the characteristics of incarcerated and free women with a significance of 0.05. For incarcerated women, the estimated prevalence of syphilis during pregnancy was 8.7% (95%CI: 5.7-13.1) and for HIV infection 3.3% (95%CI: 1.7-6.6); the estimated mother to child transmission of syphilis was 66.7% (95%CI: 44.7-83.2) and the incidence of congenital syphilis was 58.1 per 1,000 living newborns (95%CI: 40.4-82.8). Incarcerated women had a greater prevalence of syphilis and HIV infection during pregnancy, lower quality of antenatal care and higher levels of social vulnerability. Syphilis infection showed to be an indicator of social vulnerability in free women, but not in incarcerated women. Health initiatives in prison are necessary to reduce healthcare inequalities and should include adequate antenatal and birth care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria do Carmo Leal
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | | | - Barbara Ayres
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Alexandra Roma Sánchez
- Escola Nacional de Saúde Pública Sergio Arouca, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil
| | - Bernard Larouzé
- Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, INSERM, IPLESP UMRS 1132, F75012 Paris, France
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Azbel L, Grishaev Y, Wickersham JA, Chernova O, Dvoryak S, Polonsky M, Altice FL. Trials and tribulations of conducting bio-behavioral surveys in prisons: implementation science and lessons from Ukraine. Int J Prison Health 2017; 12:78-87. [PMID: 27219905 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-10-2014-0041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Purpose - Ukraine is home to Europe's worst HIV epidemic, overwhelmingly fueled by people who inject drugs who face harsh prison sentences. In Ukraine, HIV and other infectious diseases are concentrated in prisons, yet the magnitude of this problem had not been quantified. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the systematic health survey of prisoners in the former Soviet Union (FSU). Design/methodology/approach - Qualitative interviews were carried out with research and prison administrative staff to assess the barriers and facilitators to conducting a bio-behavioral survey in Ukrainian prisons. Findings - Crucial barriers at the institutional, staff, and participant level require addressing by: first, ensuring Prison Department involvement at every stage; second, tackling pre-conceived attitudes about drug addiction and treatment among staff; and third, guaranteeing confidentiality for participants. Originality/value - The burden of many diseases is higher than expected and much higher than in the community. Notwithstanding the challenges, scientifically rigorous bio-behavioral surveys are attainable in criminal justice systems in the FSU with collaboration and careful consideration of this specific context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Azbel
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine AND Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | | | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Olena Chernova
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine AND Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine AND Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA AND Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Pontali E, Bobbio N, Zaccardi M, Urciuoli R. Blood-borne viral co-infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected inmates. Int J Prison Health 2017; 12:88-97. [PMID: 27219906 DOI: 10.1108/ijph-07-2015-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the prevalence of HBV and/or HCV co-infection among HIV-infected inmates entering the correctional facility. Design/methodology/approach - Prospective collection of data of HIV-infected inmates entered the institution over a ten-year period. Findings - During study period 365 consecutive different inmates were evaluated. HCV co-infection was observed in more than 80 per cent of the tested HIV-infected inmates, past HBV infection in 71.6 per cent and active HBV co-infection was detected in 7.1 per cent; triple coinfection (HIV, HCV and HBs-Ag positivity) was present in 6 per cent of the total. Originality/value - This study confirms high prevalence of co-infections among HIV-infected inmates. Testing for HBV and HCV in all HIV-infected inmates at entry in any correctional system is recommended to identify those in need of specific care and/or preventing interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele Pontali
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy AND Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Bobbio
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Galliera Hospital, Genoa, Italy AND Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy
| | - Marilena Zaccardi
- Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy
| | - Renato Urciuoli
- Department of Health in Prison, ASL3 Genovese, Prison of Genoa-Marassi, Genoa, Italy
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29
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El-Bassel N, Marotta PL. Alcohol and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Male Central Asian Labor Migrants and Non-migrants in Kazakhstan: Implications for HIV Prevention. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:183-192. [PMID: 28983808 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-017-1918-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
This paper examines the association between alcohol consumption and sexual risk behaviors (unprotected sex, multiple sex partners, sex under influence of drugs or alcohol and commercial sex) in a sample of Central Asian migrant and non-migrant laborers in the largest marketplace in Kazakhstan. We used data from The Silk Road Health Project, conducted from 2010 to 2013 with 1342 male migrant and non-migrant market workers. Participants were selected through respondent driven sampling at the Baraholka Market in Almaty, Kazakhstan. We used regression analyses adjusting for potential confounders to examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior. We found that hazardous drinking was associated with an increase in the odds of sex under the influence of drugs (aOR = 6.09, 95% CI 3.48, 10.65; p < .001) and purchasing commercial sex (aOR = 2.02, 95% CI 1.02, 4.02; p < .05). We identified potential targets for HIV interventions to reduce sexual risk behaviors among this key population.
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30
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Depression among inmates in a regional prison of eastern Nepal: a cross-sectional study. BMC Psychiatry 2017; 17:348. [PMID: 29061132 PMCID: PMC5654146 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-017-1514-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is the most common form of mental disorder among inmates, with a prevalence much higher than in the general population. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of depression among inmates and identify factors associated with it. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted in Jhumka Regional Prison, the largest prison in eastern Nepal, from September 2014 to August 2015. A total of 434 randomly selected inmates were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire examining socio-demographic characteristics, detention status, self-reported health problems, substance use status, and suicidal ideation. Depression was screened using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale. Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis were applied to determine the association between depression and related variables. RESULTS The mean age of the participants was 35.7 years (SD 13.3). The prevalence of depression among the inmates was 35.3%. Approximately 2.3% reported suicidal ideation during imprisonment and 0.9% had attempted suicide inside the prison. In bivariate analysis, depression was significantly associated with previous incarceration (OR = 1.91, 95% CI = 1.05-3.47, p = 0.033), poor self-rated health (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 1.16-2.64, p = 0.007), frequent appointments when encountering health problems (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.06-2.61, p = 0.028), suicidal ideation (OR = 4.44, 95%CI = 1.13-17.44, p = 0.038) and loss of weight (OR = 1.49, 95% CI = 1.00-2.23, p = 0.049). However, only previous incarceration (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.04-3.74, p = 0.037) and frequent appointments when encountering health problems (AOR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.01-2.57, p = 0.046) remained significant in a multivariate model. CONCLUSIONS This study showed a high rate of depression among inmates in Nepal. The results suggest a need for psychiatric and rehabilitative care in correctional settings to improve the health status of the inmates.
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31
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Marcus R, Makarenko I, Mazhnaya A, Zelenev A, Polonsky M, Madden L, Filippovych S, Dvoriak S, Springer SA, Altice FL. Patient preferences and extended-release naltrexone: A new opportunity to treat opioid use disorders in Ukraine. Drug Alcohol Depend 2017; 179:213-219. [PMID: 28806638 PMCID: PMC5599372 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 07/12/2017] [Accepted: 07/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Scaling up HIV prevention for people who inject drugs (PWID) using opioid agonist therapies (OAT) in Ukraine has been restricted by individual and structural factors. Extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX), however, provides new opportunities for treating opioid use disorders (OUDs) in this region, where both HIV incidence and mortality continue to increase. METHODS Survey results from 1613 randomly selected PWID from 5 regions in Ukraine who were currently, previously or never on OAT were analyzed for their preference of pharmacological therapies for treating OUDs. For those preferring XR-NTX, independent correlates of their willingness to initiate XR-NTX were examined. RESULTS Among the 1613 PWID, 449 (27.8%) were interested in initiating XR-NTX. Independent correlates associated with interest in XR-NTX included: being from Mykolaiv (AOR=3.7, 95% CI=2.3-6.1) or Dnipro (AOR=1.8, 95% CI=1.1-2.9); never having been on OAT (AOR=3.4, 95% CI=2.1-5.4); shorter-term injectors (AOR=0.9, 95% CI 0.9-0.98); and inversely for both positive (AOR=0.8, CI=0.8-0.9), and negative attitudes toward OAT (AOR=1.3, CI=1.2-1.4), respectively. CONCLUSIONS In the context of Eastern Europe and Central Asia where HIV is concentrated in PWID and where HIV prevention with OAT is under-scaled, new options for treating OUDs are urgently needed. FINDINGS here suggest that XR-NTX could become an option for addiction treatment and HIV prevention especially for PWID who have shorter duration of injection and who harbor negative attitudes to OAT. Decision aids that inform patient preferences with accurate information about the various treatment options are likely to guide patients toward better, patient-centered treatments and improve treatment entry and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruthanne Marcus
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | | | | | - Alexei Zelenev
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Sandra A Springer
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven CT, USA; Centre of Excellence on Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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32
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Correa ME, Croda J, Coimbra Motta de Castro AR, Maria do Valle Leone de Oliveira S, Pompilio MA, Omizolo de Souza R, Ferreira de Sá Queiroz JH, Esther da Silva K, Ko AI, Simionatto S. High Prevalence of Treponema pallidum Infection in Brazilian Prisoners. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2017; 97:1078-1084. [PMID: 28820706 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.17-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The number of new syphilis cases in Brazil has risen alarmingly in recent years. However, there is limited data regarding syphilis prevalence in the Brazilian prison population. To facilitate the development of effective interventions, a cross-sectional study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of Treponema pallidum infection, active syphilis, and associated risk factors among Brazilian prisoners. We administered a questionnaire to a population-based sample of prisoners from 12 prisons in Central-West Brazil and collected sera for syphilis testing, from January to December 2013. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to assess associations with active syphilis. We recruited 3,363 prisoners (men: 84.6%; women: 15.4%). The overall lifetime and active syphilis prevalences were 10.5% (9.4% among men; 17% among women, P < 0.001) and 3.8% (2% among men; 9% among women, P < 0.001), respectively. The variables associated with active syphilis in men prisoners were homosexual preference, history of sexually transmitted infections, and human immunodeficiency virus status. Among women, the factors were sex with intravenous drug users, genital ulcer disease, and previous incarceration. Despite the high prevalence of active syphilis, 88.5% reported unawareness of their serological status and 67% reported unprotected sexual practices. Women had the highest rates of infection, including them in a high-risk group for the development of syphilis during pregnancy. Thus, implementing screening programs to enable continuous measures of control and prevention of T. pallidum infection in the prison environment, mainly in women institutions, is important to prevent severe forms of this disease and congenital infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisa Estopa Correa
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Julio Croda
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ana Rita Coimbra Motta de Castro
- Laboratório de Imunologia Clínica, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.,Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Maurício Antonio Pompilio
- Faculdade de Medicina (FAMED), Universidade Federal do Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS), Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ronaldo Omizolo de Souza
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | | | - Kesia Esther da Silva
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
| | - Albert I Ko
- Centro de Pesquisa Gonçalo Moniz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (FIOCRUZ), Salvador, Brazil.,Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Disease, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut
| | - Simone Simionatto
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil
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The Influence of Neurocognitive Impairment, Depression, and Alcohol Use Disorders on Health-Related Quality of Life among Incarcerated, HIV-Infected, Opioid Dependent Malaysian Men: A Moderated Mediation Analysis. AIDS Behav 2017; 21:1070-1081. [PMID: 27544515 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1526-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Prior research has widely recognized neurocognitive impairment (NCI), depression, and alcohol use disorders (AUDs) as important negative predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLWH). No studies to date, however, have explored how these neuropsychological factors operate together and affect HRQoL. Incarcerated male PLWH (N = 301) meeting criteria for opioid dependence were recruited from Malaysia's largest prison. Standardized scales for NCI, depression, alcohol use disorders (AUDs) and HRQoL were used to conduct a moderated mediation model to explore the extent to which depression mediated the relationship between NCI, HRQoL, and AUDs using an ordinary least squares regression-based path analytic framework. Results showed that increasing levels of NCI (B = -0.1773, p < 0.001) and depression (B = -0.6147, p < 0.001) were negatively associated with HRQoL. The effect of NCI on HRQoL was significantly (Sobel z = -3.5600, p < 0.001) mediated via depression (B = -0.1230, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the conditional indirect effect of NCI on HRQoL via depression for individuals with AUDs was significant (B = -0.9099, p = 0.0087), suggesting a moderated mediation effect. The findings disentangle the complex relationship using a moderated mediation model, demonstrating that increasing levels of NCI, which can be reduced with HIV treatment, negatively influenced HRQoL via depression for individuals with AUDs. This highlights the need for future interventions to target these complex interplay between neuropsychological factors in order to improve HRQoL among PLWH, particularly incarcerated PLWH with AUDs.
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Polonsky M, Rozanova J, Azbel L, Bachireddy C, Izenberg J, Kiriazova T, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Attitudes Toward Addiction, Methadone Treatment, and Recovery Among HIV-Infected Ukrainian Prisoners Who Inject Drugs: Incarceration Effects and Exploration of Mediators. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:2950-2960. [PMID: 27011378 PMCID: PMC5035551 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-016-1375-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
In this study, we use data from a survey conducted in Ukraine among 196 HIV-infected people who inject drugs, to explore attitudes toward drug addiction and methadone maintenance therapy (MMT), and intentions to change drug use during incarceration and after release from prison. Two groups were recruited: Group 1 (n = 99) was currently incarcerated and Group 2 (n = 97) had been recently released from prison. This paper's key finding is that MMT treatment and addiction recovery were predominantly viewed as mutually exclusive processes. Group comparisons showed that participants in Group 1 (pre-release) exhibited higher optimism about changing their drug use, were less likely to endorse methadone, and reported higher intention to recover from their addiction. Group 2 participants (post-release), however, reported higher rates of HIV stigma. Structural equation modeling revealed that in both groups, optimism about recovery and awareness of addiction mediated the effect of drug addiction severity on intentions to recover from their addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Julia Rozanova
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | | | - Jacob Izenberg
- University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | - Sergii Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale School of Public health, Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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Azbel L, Polonsky M, Wegman M, Shumskaya N, Kurmanalieva A, Asanov A, Wickersham JA, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. Intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and syphilis among soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan: Implications for prevention and treatment. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 37:9-20. [PMID: 27455177 PMCID: PMC5124506 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2016.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 05/31/2016] [Accepted: 06/06/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Central Asia is afflicted with increasing HIV incidence, low antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage and increasing AIDS mortality, driven primarily by people who inject drugs (PWID). Reliable data about HIV, other infectious diseases, and substance use disorders in prisoners in this region is lacking and could provide important insights into how to improve HIV prevention and treatment efforts in the region. METHODS A randomly sampled, nationwide biobehavioural health survey was conducted in 8 prisons in Kyrgyzstan among all soon-to-be-released prisoners; women were oversampled. Consented participants underwent computer-assisted, standardized behavioural health assessment surveys and testing for HIV, HCV, HBV, and syphilis. Prevalence and means were computed, and generalized linear modelling was conducted, with all analyses using weights to account for disproportionate sampling by strata. RESULTS Among 381 prisoners who underwent consent procedures, 368 (96.6%) were enrolled in the study. Women were significantly older than men (40.6 vs. 36.5; p=0.004). Weighted prevalence (%), with confidence interval (CI), for each infection was high: HCV (49.7%; CI: 44.8-54.6%), syphilis (19.2%; CI: 15.1-23.5%), HIV (10.3%; CI: 6.9-13.8%), and HBV (6.2%; CI: 3.6-8.9%). Among the 31 people with HIV, 46.5% were aware of being HIV-infected. Men, compared to women, were significantly more likely to have injected drugs (38.3% vs.16.0%; p=0.001). Pre-incarceration and within-prison drug injection, primarily of opioids, was 35.4% and 30.8%, respectively. Independent correlates of HIV infection included lifetime drug injection (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=38.75; p=0.001), mean number of years injecting (AOR=0.93; p=0.018), mean number of days experiencing drug problems (AOR=1.09; p=0.025), increasing duration of imprisonment (AOR=1.08; p=0.02 for each year) and having syphilis (AOR=3.51; p=0.003), while being female (AOR=3.06; p=0.004) and being a recidivist offender (AOR=2.67; p=0.008) were independently correlated with syphilis infection. CONCLUSION Drug injection, syphilis co-infection, and exposure to increased risk during incarceration are likely to be important contributors to HIV transmission among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan. Compared to the community, HIV is concentrated 34-fold higher in prisoners. A high proportion of undiagnosed syphilis and HIV infections presents a significant gap in the HIV care continuum. Findings highlight the critical importance of evidence-based responses within prison, including enhanced testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, to stem the evolving HIV epidemic in the region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Azbel
- London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom; Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martin Wegman
- University of Florida, Departments of Epidemiology and of Health Outcomes and Policy, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Natalya Shumskaya
- AIDS Foundation East-West in the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
| | | | - Akylbek Asanov
- Department for Medical and Sanitary Services of the State Service on Penalty Execution, Kyrgyzstan
| | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence of Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Centre of Excellence of Research in AIDS (CERiA), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Altice FL, Azbel L, Stone J, Brooks-Pollock E, Smyrnov P, Dvoriak S, Taxman FS, El-Bassel N, Martin NK, Booth R, Stöver H, Dolan K, Vickerman P. The perfect storm: incarceration and the high-risk environment perpetuating transmission of HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Lancet 2016; 388:1228-48. [PMID: 27427455 PMCID: PMC5087988 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30856-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Despite global reductions in HIV incidence and mortality, the 15 UNAIDS-designated countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) that gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 constitute the only region where both continue to rise. HIV transmission in EECA is fuelled primarily by injection of opioids, with harsh criminalisation of drug use that has resulted in extraordinarily high levels of incarceration. Consequently, people who inject drugs, including those with HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis, are concentrated within prisons. Evidence-based primary and secondary prevention of HIV using opioid agonist therapies such as methadone and buprenorphine is available in prisons in only a handful of EECA countries (methadone or buprenorphine in five countries and needle and syringe programmes in three countries), with none of them meeting recommended coverage levels. Similarly, antiretroviral therapy coverage, especially among people who inject drugs, is markedly under-scaled. Russia completely bans opioid agonist therapies and does not support needle and syringe programmes-with neither available in prisons-despite the country's high incarceration rate and having the largest burden of people with HIV who inject drugs in the region. Mathematical modelling for Ukraine suggests that high levels of incarceration in EECA countries facilitate HIV transmission among people who inject drugs, with 28-55% of all new HIV infections over the next 15 years predicted to be attributable to heightened HIV transmission risk among currently or previously incarcerated people who inject drugs. Scaling up of opioid agonist therapies within prisons and maintaining treatment after release would yield the greatest HIV transmission reduction in people who inject drugs. Additional analyses also suggest that at least 6% of all incident tuberculosis cases, and 75% of incident tuberculosis cases in people who inject drugs are due to incarceration. Interventions that reduce incarceration itself and effectively intervene with prisoners to screen, diagnose, and treat addiction and HIV, hepatitis C virus, and tuberculosis are urgently needed to stem the multiple overlapping epidemics concentrated in prisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick L Altice
- School of Medicine and School Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jack Stone
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol University, Bristol, UK
| | | | - Pavlo Smyrnov
- ICF International Alliance for Public Health, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Sergii Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Faye S Taxman
- Department of Criminology, Law and Society, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA
| | | | - Natasha K Martin
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol University, Bristol, UK; Division of Global Public Health, University of California San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Robert Booth
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
| | - Heino Stöver
- Institute of Addiction Research, Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Kate Dolan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Peter Vickerman
- School of Social and Community Medicine, Bristol University, Bristol, UK
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Dolan K, Wirtz AL, Moazen B, Ndeffo-Mbah M, Galvani A, Kinner SA, Courtney R, McKee M, Amon JJ, Maher L, Hellard M, Beyrer C, Altice FL. Global burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in prisoners and detainees. Lancet 2016; 388:1089-1102. [PMID: 27427453 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30466-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 393] [Impact Index Per Article: 49.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The prison setting presents not only challenges, but also opportunities, for the prevention and treatment of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis. We did a comprehensive literature search of data published between 2005 and 2015 to understand the global epidemiology of HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), and tuberculosis in prisoners. We further modelled the contribution of imprisonment and the potential impact of prevention interventions on HIV transmission in this population. Of the estimated 10·2 million people incarcerated worldwide on any given day in 2014, we estimated that 3·8% have HIV (389 000 living with HIV), 15·1% have HCV (1 546 500), 4·8% have chronic HBV (491 500), and 2·8% have active tuberculosis (286 000). The few studies on incidence suggest that intraprison transmission is generally low, except for large-scale outbreaks. Our model indicates that decreasing the incarceration rate in people who inject drugs and providing opioid agonist therapy could reduce the burden of HIV in this population. The prevalence of HIV, HCV, HBV, and tuberculosis is higher in prison populations than in the general population, mainly because of the criminalisation of drug use and the detention of people who use drugs. The most effective way of controlling these infections in prisoners and the broader community is to reduce the incarceration of people who inject drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Dolan
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Andrea L Wirtz
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Babak Moazen
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Population Sciences Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Martial Ndeffo-Mbah
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alison Galvani
- Center for Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Stuart A Kinner
- Griffith Criminology Institute & Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Ryan Courtney
- National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Martin McKee
- Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Joseph J Amon
- Health and Human Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lisa Maher
- Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Margaret Hellard
- Centre for Population Health, Burnet Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Chris Beyrer
- Center for Public Health and Human Rights, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Rich JD, Beckwith CG, Macmadu A, Marshall BDL, Brinkley-Rubinstein L, Amon JJ, Milloy MJ, King MRF, Sanchez J, Atwoli L, Altice FL. Clinical care of incarcerated people with HIV, viral hepatitis, or tuberculosis. Lancet 2016; 388:1103-1114. [PMID: 27427452 PMCID: PMC5504684 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(16)30379-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The burden of HIV/AIDS and other transmissible diseases is higher in prison and jail settings than in the non-incarcerated communities that surround them. In this comprehensive review, we discuss available literature on the topic of clinical management of people infected with HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, and tuberculosis in incarcerated settings in addition to co-occurrence of one or more of these infections. Methods such as screening practices and provision of treatment during detainment periods are reviewed to identify the effect of community-based treatment when returning inmates into the general population. Where data are available, we describe differences in the provision of medical care in the prison and jail settings of low-income and middle-income countries compared with high-income countries. Structural barriers impede the optimal delivery of clinical care for prisoners, and substance use, mental illness, and infectious disease further complicate the delivery of care. For prison health care to reach the standards of community-based health care, political will and financial investment are required from governmental, medical, and humanitarian organisations worldwide. In this review, we highlight challenges, gaps in knowledge, and priorities for future research to improve health-care in institutions for prisoners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josiah D Rich
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; The Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA; Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA.
| | - Curt G Beckwith
- Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA; The Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Alexandria Macmadu
- The Center for Prisoner Health and Human Rights, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Brandon D L Marshall
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein
- Department of Social Medicine and Center for Health Equity Research, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph J Amon
- Health and Human Rights Division, Human Rights Watch, New York City, NY, USA
| | - M-J Milloy
- Department of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Maximilian R F King
- Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Jorge Sanchez
- Centro de Investigaciones Tecnológicas, Biomédicas y Medioambientales, Lima, Peru; Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Frederick L Altice
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA; Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, USA
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Pre-incarceration police harassment, drug addiction and HIV risk behaviours among prisoners in Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan: results from a nationally representative cross-sectional study. J Int AIDS Soc 2016; 19:20880. [PMID: 27435715 PMCID: PMC4951538 DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.20880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2016] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The expanding HIV epidemic in Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan is concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWID), who comprise a third of prisoners there. Detention of PWID is common but its impact on health has not been previously studied in the region. We aimed to understand the relationship between official and unofficial (police harassment) detention of PWID and HIV risk behaviours. Methods In a nationally representative cross-sectional study, soon-to-be released prisoners in Kyrgyzstan (N=368) and Azerbaijan (N=510) completed standardized health assessment surveys. After identifying correlated variables through bivariate testing, we built multi-group path models with pre-incarceration official and unofficial detention as exogenous variables and pre-incarceration composite HIV risk as an endogenous variable, controlling for potential confounders and estimating indirect effects. Results Overall, 463 (51%) prisoners reported at least one detention in the year before incarceration with an average of 1.3 detentions in that period. Unofficial detentions (13%) were less common than official detentions (41%). Optimal model fit was achieved (X2=5.83, p=0.44; Goodness of Fit Index (GFI) GFI=0.99; Comparative Fit Index (CFI) CFI=1.00; Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) RMSEA=0.00; PCLOSE=0.98) when unofficial detention had an indirect effect on HIV risk, mediated by drug addiction severity, with more detentions associated with higher addiction severity, which in turn correlated with increased HIV risk. The final model explained 35% of the variance in the outcome. The effect was maintained for both countries, but stronger for Kyrgyzstan. The model also holds for Kyrgyzstan using unique data on within-prison drug injection as the outcome, which was frequent in prisoners there. Conclusions Detention by police is a strong correlate of addiction severity, which mediates its effect on HIV risk behaviour. This pattern suggests that police may target drug users and that such harassment may result in an increase in HIV risk-taking behaviours, primarily because of the continued drug use within prisons. These findings highlight the important negative role that police play in the HIV epidemic response and point to the urgent need for interventions to reduce police harassment, in parallel with interventions to reduce HIV transmission within and outside of prison.
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Police, Law Enforcement and HIV. J Int AIDS Soc 2016. [DOI: 10.7448/ias.19.4.21260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
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Shaw SA, Terlikbayeva A, Famouri L, Hunt T, Gilbert L, Rozental Y, Primbetova S, Chang M, Ma X, El-Bassel N. HIV testing and access to HIV medical care among people who inject drugs and their intimate partners in Kazakhstan. JOURNAL OF SUBSTANCE USE 2016; 22:53-59. [PMID: 30220879 DOI: 10.3109/14659891.2016.1143046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Background Growing rates of HIV and high rates of injection drug use in Kazakhstan call for examining access to testing and treatment among people who inject drugs and their intimate partners. Objectives We examine how access to health and drug treatment services as well as risk environment factors are associated with ever being tested for HIV and ever receiving any general HIV medical care among 728 male and female intimate partners where at least one partner injects drugs. Methods Multivariate random effects logistic regression with random effects for couple were conducted to examine associations between access to health and drug treatment services, risk environment factors, and HIV testing and HIV medical care outcomes. Results Analyses indicate that accessing needle exchange services and having a regular physician were associated both with access to HIV testing and HIV medical care. Receiving drug treatment was associated with accessing HIV testing but not HIV medical care. Being arrested and charged with a criminal offense was also associated with accessing HIV testing but not HIV medical care. Conclusions/Importance Study findings highlight the need for increased scale-up of HIV testing efforts, as well as integrated HIV treatment and care in Kazakhstan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey A Shaw
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Assel Terlikbayeva
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 102 Luganskogo St, ap.1, Medeu district, Almaty, Kazakhstan 050059
| | - Leila Famouri
- School of Medicine, 1 Medical Center Drive, P.O. Box 9100, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506
| | - Tim Hunt
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Louisa Gilbert
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Yelena Rozental
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 102 Luganskogo St, ap.1, Medeu district, Almaty, Kazakhstan 050059
| | - Shopan Primbetova
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 102 Luganskogo St, ap.1, Medeu district, Almaty, Kazakhstan 050059
| | - Mingway Chang
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Xin Ma
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
| | - Nabila El-Bassel
- Global Health Research Center of Central Asia, Columbia University, New York City, 1255 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10027
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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. THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DRUG POLICY 2016; 29:91-5. [PMID: 26809933 PMCID: PMC5592800 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2015.12.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2015] [Revised: 12/13/2015] [Accepted: 12/15/2015] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ruthanne Marcus
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Svetlana Doltu
- Act for Involvement (AFI), Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
| | | | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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Mazhnaya A, Bojko MJ, Marcus R, Filippovych S, Islam Z, Dvoriak S, Altice FL. In Their Own Voices: Breaking the Vicious Cycle of Addiction, Treatment and Criminal Justice Among People who Inject Drugs in Ukraine. DRUGS (ABINGDON, ENGLAND) 2016; 23:163-175. [PMID: 27458326 PMCID: PMC4957015 DOI: 10.3109/09687637.2015.1127327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2015] [Accepted: 11/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
AIMS To understand how perceived law enforcement policies and practices contribute to the low rates of utilization of opioid agonist therapies (OAT) among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Ukraine. METHODS Qualitative data from 25 focus groups (FGs) with 199 opioid-dependent PWIDs in Ukraine examined domains related to lived or learned experiences with OAT, police, arrest, incarceration, and criminal activity were analyzed using grounded theory principles. FINDINGS Most participants were male (66%), in their late 30s, and previously incarcerated (85%) mainly for drug-related activities. When imprisoned, PWIDs perceived themselves as being "addiction-free". After prison-release, the confluence of police surveillance, societal stress contributed to participants' drug use relapse, perpetuating a cycle of searching for money and drugs, followed by re-arrest and re-incarceration. Fear of police and arrest both facilitated OAT entry and simultaneously contributed to avoiding OAT since system-level requirements identified OAT clients as targets for police harassment. OAT represents an evidence-based option to 'break the cycle', however, law enforcement practices still thwart OAT capacity to improve individual and public health. CONCLUSION In the absence of structural changes in law enforcement policies and practices in Ukraine, PWIDs will continue to avoid OAT and perpetuate the addiction cycle with high imprisonment rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyona Mazhnaya
- ICF International HIV/AIDS Alliance in Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Martha J. Bojko
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ruthanne Marcus
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Dvoriak
- Ukrainian Institute for Public Health Policy, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, New Haven, CT, USA
- Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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Alpert M, Wickersham JA, Vázquez M, Altice FL. Alcohol use disorders and antiretroviral therapy among prisoners in Argentina. Int J Prison Health 2015; 9:40-50. [PMID: 24772187 DOI: 10.1108/17449201311310797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE While Argentina has significantly improved access to HIV care and antiretroviral therapy (ART) for both the general population and prisoners, the prevalence of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) among HIV-infected prisoners and their relationship to accessing ART in Argentina is currently unknown. This study aims to characterize the substance abuse patterns of HIV-infected prisoners in Argentina and to assess the independent correlates of receipt of pre-incarceration ART. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH An anonymous, cross-sectional survey of 100 HIV-infected federal prisoners was conducted in the Buenos Aires municipality from July-December 2010. AUDs were assessed using the AUDIT scale. FINDINGS A majority (63 per cent) of participants met criteria for AUDs, 45 per cent of subjects were diagnosed with HIV in prison and one-quarter had initiated ART during the current incarceration. In addition, over one-third (35 per cent) of participants did not receive ART during the pre-incarceration period despite receiving it upon incarceration. This correlated significantly with the presence of having an AUD (AOR 0.20, 95 per cent CI 0.06-0.74, p = 0.016). PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS AUDs are prevalent among HIV-infected prisoners in Argentina and are significantly related to negative secondary HIV prevention and treatment outcomes. While Argentina has provided an exemplary model of HIV-related health care reform within its prisons, future efforts to provide screening and treatment for AUDs are needed to improve the health of the nation’s incarcerated population. ORIGINALITY/VALUE This paper is the first to describe pre-incarceration drug and alcohol use disorders and issues related to access to ART among prisoners in Argentina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Alpert
- Department of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, AIDS Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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Vilibic-Cavlek T, Kucinar J, Kaic B, Vilibic M, Pandak N, Barbic L, Stevanovic V, Vranes J. Epidemiology of hepatitis C in Croatia in the European context. World J Gastroenterol 2015; 21:9476-93. [PMID: 26327756 PMCID: PMC4548109 DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i32.9476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2015] [Revised: 06/03/2015] [Accepted: 07/18/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We analyzed prevalence, risk factors and hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype distribution in different population groups in Croatia in the context of HCV epidemiology in Europe, with the aim to gather all existing information on HCV infection in Croatia which will be used to advise upon preventive measures. It is estimated that 35000-45000 of the Croatian population is chronically infected with HCV. Like in other European countries, there have been changes in the HCV epidemiology in Croatia over the past few decades. In some risk groups (polytransfused and hemodialysis patients), a significant decrease in the HCV prevalence was observed after the introduction of routine HCV screening of blood/blood products in 1992. Injecting drug users (IDUs) still represent a group with the highest risk for HCV infection with prevalence ranging from 29% to 65%. Compared to the prevalence in the Croatian general population (0.9%), higher prevalence rates were found in prison populations (8.3%-44%), human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients (15%), persons with high-risk sexual behavior (4.6%) and alcohol abusers (2.4%). Low/very low prevalence was reported in children and adolescents (0.3%) as well as in blood donors (0%-0.009%). In addition, distribution of HCV genotypes has changed due to different routes of transmission. In the general population, genotypes 1 and 3 are most widely distributed (60.4%-79.8% and 12.9%-47.9%, respectively). The similar genotype distribution is found in groups with high-risk sexual behavior. Genotype 3 is predominant in Croatian IDUs (60.5%-83.9%) while in the prison population genotypes 3 and 1 are equally distributed (52.4% and 47.6%). Data on HCV prevalence and risk factors for transmission are useful for implementation of preventive measures and HCV screening.
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Perry AE, Neilson M, Martyn‐St James M, Glanville JM, Woodhouse R, Godfrey C, Hewitt C. Pharmacological interventions for drug-using offenders. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015; 2015:CD010862. [PMID: 26035084 PMCID: PMC11060505 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010862.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The review represents one in a family of four reviews focusing on a range of different interventions for drug-using offenders. This specific review considers pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing drug use or criminal activity, or both, for illicit drug-using offenders. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of pharmacological interventions for drug-using offenders in reducing criminal activity or drug use, or both. SEARCH METHODS We searched Fourteen electronic bibliographic databases up to May 2014 and five additional Web resources (between 2004 and November 2011). We contacted experts in the field for further information. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials assessing the efficacy of any pharmacological intervention a component of which is designed to reduce, eliminate or prevent relapse of drug use or criminal activity, or both, in drug-using offenders. We also report data on the cost and cost-effectiveness of interventions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures as expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS Fourteen trials with 2647 participants met the inclusion criteria. The interventions included in this review report on agonistic pharmacological interventions (buprenorphine, methadone and naltrexone) compared to no intervention, other non-pharmacological treatments (e.g. counselling) and other pharmacological drugs. The methodological trial quality was poorly described, and most studies were rated as 'unclear' by the reviewers. The biggest threats to risk of bias were generated through blinding (performance and detection bias) and incomplete outcome data (attrition bias). Studies could not be combined all together because the comparisons were too different. Only subgroup analysis for type of pharmacological treatment were done. When compared to non-pharmacological, we found low quality evidence that agonist treatments are not effective in reducing drug use or criminal activity, objective results (biological) (two studies, 237 participants (RR 0.72 (95% CI 0.51 to 1.00); subjective (self-report), (three studies, 317 participants (RR 0.61 95% CI 0.31 to 1.18); self-report drug use (three studies, 510 participants (SMD: -0.62 (95% CI -0.85 to -0.39). We found low quality of evidence that antagonist treatment was not effective in reducing drug use (one study, 63 participants (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.28 to 1.70) but we found moderate quality of evidence that they significantly reduced criminal activity (two studies, 114 participants, (RR 0.40, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.74).Findings on the effects of individual pharmacological interventions on drug use and criminal activity showed mixed results. In the comparison of methadone to buprenorphine, diamorphine and naltrexone, no significant differences were displayed for either treatment for self report dichotomous drug use (two studies, 370 participants (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.55), continuous measures of drug use (one study, 81 participants, (mean difference (MD) 0.70, 95% CI -5.33 to 6.73); or criminal activity (one study, 116 participants, (RR 1.25, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.88) between methadone and buprenorphine. Similar results were found for comparisons with diamorphine with no significant differences between the drugs for self report dichotomous drug use for arrest (one study, 825 participants, (RR 1.25, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.51) or naltrexone for dichotomous measures of reincarceration (one study, 44 participants, (RR 1.10, 95% CI 0.37 to 3.26), and continuous outcome measure of crime, (MD -0.50, 95% CI -8.04 to 7.04) or self report drug use (MD 4.60, 95% CI -3.54 to 12.74). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS When compared to non-pharmacological treatment, agonist treatments did not seem effective in reducing drug use or criminal activity. Antagonist treatments were not effective in reducing drug use but significantly reduced criminal activity. When comparing the drugs to one another we found no significant differences between the drug comparisons (methadone versus buprenorphine, diamorphine and naltrexone) on any of the outcome measures. Caution should be taken when interpreting these findings, as the conclusions are based on a small number of trials, and generalisation of these study findings should be limited mainly to male adult offenders. Additionally, many studies were rated at high risk of bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E Perry
- University of YorkDepartment of Health SciencesHeslingtonYorkUKYO105DD
| | - Matthew Neilson
- University of YorkDepartment of Health SciencesHeslingtonYorkUKYO105DD
| | - Marrissa Martyn‐St James
- University of SheffieldSchool of Health and Related Research (ScHARR)Regent Court, 30 Regent StreetSheffieldSouth YorkshireUKS1 4DA
| | - Julie M Glanville
- York Health Economics ConsortiumMarket SquareUniversity of York, HeslingtonYorkUKYO10 5NH
| | - Rebecca Woodhouse
- University of YorkDepartment of Health SciencesHeslingtonYorkUKYO105DD
| | - Christine Godfrey
- University of YorkDepartment of Health SciencesHeslingtonYorkUKYO105DD
| | - Catherine Hewitt
- University of YorkDepartment of Health SciencesHeslingtonYorkUKYO105DD
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Perry AE, Neilson M, Martyn-St James M, Glanville JM, Woodhouse R, Godfrey C, Hewitt C. Interventions for drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental illness. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2015:CD010901. [PMID: 26034938 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd010901.pub2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This is an updated version of an original Cochrane review published in Issue 3 2006 (Perry 2006). The review represents one from a family of four reviews focusing on interventions for drug-using offenders. This specific review considers interventions aimed at reducing drug use or criminal activity, or both for drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental illness. OBJECTIVES To assess the effectiveness of interventions for drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental illness in reducing criminal activity or drug use, or both. SEARCH METHODS We searched 14 electronic bibliographic databases up to May 2014 and 5 Internet resources (searched between 2004 and 11 November 2009). We contacted experts in the field for further information. SELECTION CRITERIA We included randomised controlled trials designed to reduce, eliminate, or prevent relapse of drug use and criminal activity, or both in drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental illness. We also reported data on the cost and cost-effectiveness of interventions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard methodological procedures expected by The Cochrane Collaboration. MAIN RESULTS Eight trials with 2058 participants met the inclusion criteria. The methodological quality of the trials was generally difficult to rate due to a lack of clear reporting. On most 'Risk of bias' items, we rated the majority of studies as unclear. Overall, we could not statistically combine the results due to the heterogenous nature of the different study interventions and comparison groups. A narrative summary of the findings identified that the interventions reported limited success with reducing self report drug use, but did have some impact on re-incarceration rates, but not re-arrest. In the single comparisons, we found moderate-quality evidence that therapeutic communities determine a reduction in re-incarceration but reported less success for outcomes of re-arrest, moderate quality of evidence and self report drug use. Three single studies evaluating case management via a mental health drug court (very low quality of evidence), motivational interviewing and cognitive skills (low and very low quality of evidence) and interpersonal psychotherapy (very low quality of evidence) did not report significant reductions in criminal activity and self report drug use respectively. Quality of evidence for these three types of interventions was low to very low. The trials reported some cost information, but it was not sufficient to be able to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the interventions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS Two of the five trials showed some promising results for the use of therapeutic communities and aftercare, but only in relation to reducing subsequent re-incarceration. Overall, the studies showed a high degree of variation, warranting a degree of caution in the interpretation of the magnitude of effect and direction of benefit for treatment outcomes. More evaluations are required to assess the effectiveness of interventions for drug-using offenders with co-occurring mental health problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda E Perry
- Department of Health Sciences, University of York, Heslington, York, UK, YO105DD
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Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Wegman MP, Polonsky M, Suleymanov M, Ismayilov R, Dvoryak S, Rotberga S, Altice FL. Burden of substance use disorders, mental illness, and correlates of infectious diseases among soon-to-be released prisoners in Azerbaijan. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 151:68-75. [PMID: 25861943 PMCID: PMC4447560 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.02.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2015] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite low HIV prevalence in the South Caucasus region, transmission is volatile. Little data are available from this region about addiction and infectious diseases among prisoners who transition back to communities. METHODS A nation-wide randomly sampled biobehavioral health survey was conducted in 13 non-specialty Azerbaijani prisons among soon-to-be-released prisoners. After informed consent, participants underwent standardized health assessment surveys and testing for HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. RESULTS Of the 510 participants (mean age = 38.2 years), 11.4% were female, and 31.9% reported pre-incarceration drug injection, primarily of heroin. Prevalence of HCV (38.2%), HIV (3.7%), syphilis (3.7%), and HBV (2.7%) was high. Among the 19 HIV-infected inmates, 14 (73.7%) were aware of their HIV status, 12 (63.2%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 5 (26.3%) had CD4 < 350 cells/mL (4 of these were on ART). While drug injection was the most significant independent correlate of HCV (AOR = 12.9; p = 0.001) and a significant correlate of HIV (AOR = 8.2; p = 0.001), both unprotected sex (AOR = 3.31; p = 0.049) and working in Russia/Ukraine (AOR = 4.58; p = 0.008) were also correlated with HIV. CONCLUSION HIV and HCV epidemics are concentrated among people who inject drugs (PWIDs) in Azerbaijan, and magnified among prisoners. A transitioning HIV epidemic is emerging from migration from high endemic countries and heterosexual risk. The high diagnostic rate and ART coverage among Azerbaijani prisoners provides new evidence that HIV treatment as prevention in former Soviet Union (FSU) countries is attainable, and provides new insights for HCV diagnosis and treatment as new medications become available. Within prison evidence-based addiction treatments with linkage to community care are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyuba Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Jeffrey A. Wickersham
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Martin P. Wegman
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Murad Suleymanov
- Main Medical Department of the Ministry of Justice of the Azerbaijan Republic, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Rafik Ismayilov
- Independent Assistance and Consultancy Center “For the Sake of Civil Society”, Baku, Azerbaijan
| | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Signe Rotberga
- Head of UNODC Program Office in Kazakhstan, Astana, Kazakhstan
| | - Frederick L. Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA,Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA,Corresponding author at: 135 College Street, Suite 323, New Haven, CT 06511, USA. Tel.: +1 203 737 2883; fax: +1 203 737 4051. (F.L. Altice)
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Polonsky M, Azbel L, Wickersham JA, Taxman FS, Grishaev E, Dvoryak S, Altice FL. Challenges to implementing opioid substitution therapy in Ukrainian prisons: Personnel attitudes toward addiction, treatment, and people with HIV/AIDS. Drug Alcohol Depend 2015; 148:47-55. [PMID: 25620732 PMCID: PMC4330127 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2014] [Revised: 12/07/2014] [Accepted: 12/07/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ukraine is experiencing one of the most volatile HIV epidemics globally, fueled primarily by people who inject drugs (PWIDs), and a parallel incarceration epidemic. Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is internationally recognized as one of the most effective forms of treatment for opioid dependence and is among the most effective HIV prevention strategies available, yet efforts to adopt it in Ukraine's Criminal Justice System (CJS) have been thwarted. METHODS To understand the reluctance of the Ukrainian CJS to adopt OST despite the overwhelming evidence pointing to its health benefits and improved criminal justice outcomes, we conducted the first survey of Ukrainian prison administrative, medical and custodial staff (N=243) attitudes towards addiction in general, OST, and people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in representative regions of Ukraine. RESULTS Results revealed that Ukrainian CJS workers' attitudes toward OST, PLWHA, and drug addiction were universally negative, but differed substantially along geographic and occupational lines. Whereas geographic and cultural proximity to the European Union drove positive attitudes in the west, in the southern region we observed an identifiability effect, as workers who worked directly with prisoners held the most positive attitudes. We also found that knowledge mediated the effect of drug intolerance on OST attitudes. CONCLUSION In Ukraine, adoption of OST is more influenced by myths, biases and ideological prejudices than by existing scientific evidence. By elucidating existing attitudes among CJS personnel, this study will help to direct subsequent interventions to address the barriers to implementing evidence-based HIV prevention treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Polonsky
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine.
| | - Lyuba Azbel
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Jeffrey A Wickersham
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
| | | | | | - Sergey Dvoryak
- Ukrainian Institute on Public Health Policy, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Frederick L Altice
- Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA; Yale University School of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, New Haven, CT, USA
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Milloy MJ, Montaner JSG, Wood E. Incarceration of people living with HIV/AIDS: implications for treatment-as-prevention. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2015; 11:308-16. [PMID: 24962285 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-014-0214-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Contact with the criminal justice system, including incarceration, is a common experience for many people living with HIV/AIDS. Optimism has recently been expressed that correctional facilities could be important locations for treatment-as-prevention (TasP)-based initiatives. We review recent findings regarding the effect of incarceration on patterns of HIV transmission, testing, treatment initiation and retention. We found that the prevalence of HIV infection among incarcerated individuals remains higher than analogous non-incarcerated populations. Recent studies have shown that voluntary HIV/AIDS testing is feasible in many correctional facilities, although the number of previously undiagnosed individuals identified has been modest. Studies have implied enhanced linkage to HIV/AIDS treatment and care in jails in the United States was associated with improvements in the HIV cascade of care. However, for many individuals living with HIV/AIDS, exposure to the correctional system remains an important barrier to retention in HIV/AIDS treatment and care. Future research should evaluate structural interventions to address these barriers and facilitate the scale-up of TasP-based efforts among individuals living in correctional settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-J Milloy
- British Columbia Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, 608-1081 Burrard Street, Vancouver, BC, V6Z 1Y6, Canada,
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