Viraj V Patel
Biographic Data
| ID | 5191352 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Viraj V Patel |
| GIVEN NAMES | Viraj V |
| FAMILY NAME | Patel |
| SIGNATURE | PATEL V V |
| AFFILIATIONS | Albert Einstein College of Medicine |
| ORCID | 0000-0002-5603-9823 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 35 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 12 |
| WORKS AS AUTHOR | 35 |
| WORKS AS EDITOR | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2011 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 2 |
High Motivation but Low Access to PrEP
Methamphetamine (meth) use is endemic among sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations and a well-established correlate of HIV acquisition. Less understood are the behavioral, psychosocial, and structural vulnerabilities associated with meth use that may complicate HIV prevention. We examined differences in HIV-related vulnerabilities, perceptions of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) need, and access to PrEP care among SGM people who use meth com…
Intravenous Methamphetamine Use, HIV Status and PrEP Uptake Among a U.S. Sample of 29,880 Gender and Sexual Minorities, 2022–2023
“Migratory grief” and structural barriers to care
Background: Immigrants experience poorer HIV outcomes and poor mental health. How immigration-related stressors affect engagement with HIV care and mental health care is unclear.This study aimed to use community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches to explore how immigration-related stressors impact HIV and mental health care for immigrants living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a qualitative interview study with semi-structured intervi…
Assessing an Implementation Science Strategy to Improve PrEP Primary Care Serving Black and Latino Communities
We examined the impact of a PrEP navigation implementation strategy on care engagement at nine New York City Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) in an Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) jurisdiction. Between March 2021 and April 2022, FQHCs implemented the strategy, which consisted of five distinct navigation activities conducted by the Navigator (e.g., PrEP refill). We extracted electronic medical record (EMR) data on navigation services attem…
Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) Awareness and HIV Treatment Optimism Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Mumbai, India
Little is known about Undetectable=Untransmittable (U = U) awareness among MSM in India. We analyzed baseline survey data from MSM (N = 1004) in an mHealth HIV testing trial in Mumbai and Thane, India. We assessed factors associated with U = U awareness and agreement (HIV treatment optimism) using multivariable Poisson regression. U = U awareness (29%) was associated with English survey completion, searching for sexual health information online, …
PrEP in the key population community
Gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) and cisgender female sex workers (FSW) are increasingly and disproportionately impacted by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, yet current PrEP care models in this region are not optimized for these communities. Limited data exist describing experiences and preferences of GBMSM and FSW with respect to accessing and using PrEP. We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with GBMSM and FSW …
PrEP Prescription Lengths
Attrition from Care and Barriers to PrEP Use Among Key Populations in Kinshasa, DRC
Female sex workers (FSW) and gay and other men who have sex with men (MSM) are disproportionately affected by HIV. Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is increasingly available in African countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but data on factors influencing PrEP use remain limited. This multiple methods study examined PrEP attrition patterns and barriers to engagement among FSW and MSM in Kinshasa, DRC, using programmatic …
Housing Instability Among Young Men Who Have Sex With Men in a U.S. National Sample
Background: Youth experiencing housing instability are among the fastest-growing groups of individuals diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The unpredictable nature of the lives of youth experiencing housing instability can lead to inconsistent health care, leaving gaps about the most prominent needs for intervention. Objective and Methods: Using an internet-based survey approach, we examined factors associated with housing inst…
Awareness and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Rwanda
Introduction: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill aimed at reducing HIV transmission risk when taken as prescribed. It's highly recommended for high-risk Men who have sex with Men (MSM). This study aimed to assess PrEP awareness and willingness to use it among Rwandan MSM, a critical aspect given PrEP's proven effectiveness. The findings are expected to inform policy decisions and further advance the implementation of PrEP strategies.…
PrEP Uptake and Methamphetamine Use Patterns in a 4-Year U.S. National Prospective Cohort Study of Sexual and Gender Minority People, 2017–2022
Collaborative PrEP Implementation Strategies for Latino Men Who have Sex with Men
Community-based organizations (CBOs) deliver services in culturally-responsive ways, and could effectively partner with health centers to deliver HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM). However, few such models exist. We conducted a planning study in collaboration with three CBOs serving LMSM to identify optimal PrEP delivery strategies for health centers and CBOs to implement jointly. We established a Comm…
Intersectional stigma and gender non-affirmation hinder HIV care engagement among transgender women living with HIV in India
Among transgender women living with HIV (TGWLH) in India, little is understood about the mechanisms through which multiple intersecting stigmas impact HIV care engagement, or intervention strategies that might mitigate this impact. We conducted focus groups with TGWLH (N = 30) in three Indian cities and analysed data using theoretical frameworks related to HIV stigma, gender affirmation, and syndemics. Findings revealed that enacted and anticipat…
Feasibility and acceptability of a peer influencer delivered social media based intervention to promote mental health awareness for young Black and Latinx gay and bisexual men and transgender women
Using an intervention informed and delivered by PIs, participants were presented with information to address relevant mental health concerns. We found that such novel means of engaging this sample for mental health is feasible, acceptable, and merits further development
HIV Testing by Gender Identity Among Sexually Active Transgender-, Intersex-, and Hijra Individuals Reached Online in India
There are people like me who will see that, and it will just wash over them’
The high incidence of HIV among US Black sexual minority men is a public health crisis that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV can help address. Public health campaigns, which often include pictures of Black sexual minority men alongside PrEP-related messaging, have been developed to encourage PrEP awareness and uptake. However, the acceptability of the messaging within these campaigns among Black sexual minority men is unclear. We conducted…
Integrating Intersectional and Syndemic Frameworks for Ending the US HIV Epidemic
Capturing Daily Experiences of Intersectional Stigma Among Young Sexual Minority Men in HIV Prevention Research
Factors Associated with Being PrEP-Naïve Among a U.S. National Cohort of Former-PrEP and PrEP-Naïve Participants Meeting Objective Criteria for PrEP Care
Alcohol and Drug Use Surrounding Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in India
Maximizing Response Rates to Ads for Free At-Home HIV Testing on a Men-for-Men Geosocial Sexual Networking App
Internet-based recruitment can be effective in reaching large numbers of geographically diverse individuals. Geosocial sexual networking apps on smartphones have emerged as the modal way in which men who have sex with men (MSM) meet sex partners, and as venues for sexual health research. We report on the performance of three types of ads—text-only, text with male figure (no face), and text with male figure (with face)—used on a geosocial sexual n…
Lifetime Prevalence and Correlates of Female Condom Use for Anal Sex in a Geographically Diverse Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States
OBJECTIVES: Examine use of the female condom (FC) for anal sex among Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US). METHODS: An online survey among 3,837 MSM. RESULTS: 5.2% had used the FC for anal sex. Use was higher among those who had used the FC for vaginal sex (OR=14.39, p<0.001), those with multiple partners, (OR=2.68, p=0.004), and those who were HIV-positive (OR=2.07, p<0.001) or on PrEP (OR=2.66, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FC use…
Awareness and Acceptability of Undetectable = Untransmittable Among a U.S. National Sample of HIV-Negative Sexual and Gender Minorities
Demographic, Behavioral, and Geographic Differences Between Men, Transmen, and Transwomen Currently on PrEP, Former PrEP Users, and Those Having Never Used PrEP
PrEP in the Real World
Tension” in South Asian Women
Using participatory techniques, we created a new measure designed to assess CMD in an isolated immigrant group. The new measure shows excellent psychometric properties and will be helpful in the implementation of a community-based, culturally synchronous intervention for depression. We describe a useful strategy for the rapid development and field testing of culturally appropriate measures of mental distress and disorder
Integrating Intersectional and Syndemic Frameworks for Ending the US HIV Epidemic
Social Media Use and HIV-Related Risk Behaviors in Young Black and Latino Gay and Bi Men and Transgender Individuals in New York City
Bangladeshi Immigrants in New York City
Tension” in South Asian Women
Using participatory techniques, we created a new measure designed to assess CMD in an isolated immigrant group. The new measure shows excellent psychometric properties and will be helpful in the implementation of a community-based, culturally synchronous intervention for depression. We describe a useful strategy for the rapid development and field testing of culturally appropriate measures of mental distress and disorder
Asha
ASHA was effective in improving depression and increasing financial independence. Using a culturally synchronous approach to psychological treatment may be effective in ameliorating distress in immigrant populations
Asha
ASHA:Using Participatory Methods to Develop an Asset-building Mental Health Intervention for Bangladeshi Immigrant Women Alison Karasz, PhD, Sumithra Raghavan, PhD, Viraj Patel, MD, MPH, Moumita Zaman, Laila Akhter, MA, and Mahbhooba Kabita What Is the Purpose of This Study? • This article describes a successful partnership between clinicians, researchers, activists, and members of the Bronx South Asian immigrant community. The team collaborated …
Primary Care Physicians’ Willingness to Prescribe HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis for People who Inject Drugs
Reaching Key Populations
Social Media Use and HIV-Related Risk Behaviors in Young Black and Latino Gay and Bi Men and Transgender Individuals in New York City
Pre-exposure prophylaxis prescribing and retention in care among heterosexual women at a community-based comprehensive sexual health clinic
In the United States, heterosexual women account for 20% of new HIV infections. As a user-controlled HIV prevention method, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has substantial potential to reduce new infections among women. However, among women, PrEP is vastly underutilized. To guide efforts to increase women-at-risk's PrEP use, we sought to describe the characteristics of women prescribed PrEP as well as their retention in PrEP care. We conducted a …
Emerging from the database shadows
Little is known about how HIV affects undocumented immigrants despite social and structural factors that may place them at risk of poor HIV outcomes. Our understanding of the clinical epidemiology of HIV-infected undocumented immigrants is limited by the challenges of determining undocumented immigration status in large data sets. We developed an algorithm to predict undocumented status using social security number (SSN) and insurance data. We re…
PrEP in the Real World
Prevalence of and Factors Associated with the Use of HIV Serosorting and Other Biomedical Prevention Strategies Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in a US Nationwide Survey
Demographic, Behavioral, and Geographic Differences Between Men, Transmen, and Transwomen Currently on PrEP, Former PrEP Users, and Those Having Never Used PrEP
Maximizing Response Rates to Ads for Free At-Home HIV Testing on a Men-for-Men Geosocial Sexual Networking App
Internet-based recruitment can be effective in reaching large numbers of geographically diverse individuals. Geosocial sexual networking apps on smartphones have emerged as the modal way in which men who have sex with men (MSM) meet sex partners, and as venues for sexual health research. We report on the performance of three types of ads—text-only, text with male figure (no face), and text with male figure (with face)—used on a geosocial sexual n…
Lifetime Prevalence and Correlates of Female Condom Use for Anal Sex in a Geographically Diverse Sample of Men Who Have Sex with Men (MSM) in the United States
OBJECTIVES: Examine use of the female condom (FC) for anal sex among Men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States (US). METHODS: An online survey among 3,837 MSM. RESULTS: 5.2% had used the FC for anal sex. Use was higher among those who had used the FC for vaginal sex (OR=14.39, p<0.001), those with multiple partners, (OR=2.68, p=0.004), and those who were HIV-positive (OR=2.07, p<0.001) or on PrEP (OR=2.66, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: FC use…
Awareness and Acceptability of Undetectable = Untransmittable Among a U.S. National Sample of HIV-Negative Sexual and Gender Minorities
Factors Associated with Being PrEP-Naïve Among a U.S. National Cohort of Former-PrEP and PrEP-Naïve Participants Meeting Objective Criteria for PrEP Care
Alcohol and Drug Use Surrounding Sex Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in India
Integrating Intersectional and Syndemic Frameworks for Ending the US HIV Epidemic
Capturing Daily Experiences of Intersectional Stigma Among Young Sexual Minority Men in HIV Prevention Research
Collaborative PrEP Implementation Strategies for Latino Men Who have Sex with Men
Community-based organizations (CBOs) deliver services in culturally-responsive ways, and could effectively partner with health centers to deliver HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to Latino men who have sex with men (LMSM). However, few such models exist. We conducted a planning study in collaboration with three CBOs serving LMSM to identify optimal PrEP delivery strategies for health centers and CBOs to implement jointly. We established a Comm…
Intersectional stigma and gender non-affirmation hinder HIV care engagement among transgender women living with HIV in India
Among transgender women living with HIV (TGWLH) in India, little is understood about the mechanisms through which multiple intersecting stigmas impact HIV care engagement, or intervention strategies that might mitigate this impact. We conducted focus groups with TGWLH (N = 30) in three Indian cities and analysed data using theoretical frameworks related to HIV stigma, gender affirmation, and syndemics. Findings revealed that enacted and anticipat…
Feasibility and acceptability of a peer influencer delivered social media based intervention to promote mental health awareness for young Black and Latinx gay and bisexual men and transgender women
Using an intervention informed and delivered by PIs, participants were presented with information to address relevant mental health concerns. We found that such novel means of engaging this sample for mental health is feasible, acceptable, and merits further development
HIV Testing by Gender Identity Among Sexually Active Transgender-, Intersex-, and Hijra Individuals Reached Online in India
There are people like me who will see that, and it will just wash over them’
The high incidence of HIV among US Black sexual minority men is a public health crisis that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV can help address. Public health campaigns, which often include pictures of Black sexual minority men alongside PrEP-related messaging, have been developed to encourage PrEP awareness and uptake. However, the acceptability of the messaging within these campaigns among Black sexual minority men is unclear. We conducted…
Awareness and willingness to use pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men in Rwanda
Introduction: Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) is a daily pill aimed at reducing HIV transmission risk when taken as prescribed. It's highly recommended for high-risk Men who have sex with Men (MSM). This study aimed to assess PrEP awareness and willingness to use it among Rwandan MSM, a critical aspect given PrEP's proven effectiveness. The findings are expected to inform policy decisions and further advance the implementation of PrEP strategies.…
Medicine (28 works) · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions (27 works) · Family medicine (22 works) · Men who have sex with men (22 works) · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk (19 works) · Demography (18 works) · Psychology (18 works) · Public health (16 works) · Sex work and related issues (15 works) · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV (14 works)