The evolving challenges confronting adults living with HIV in three North African countries during the COVID-19 crisis: a survey-based study

Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a huge burden on healthcare systems, especially on programs for chronic illnesses such as HIV. We aimed to assess the challenges confronting adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) in three countries in North Africa during the COVI...

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Published in:	Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Vol. 116; no. 5; pp. 462 - 468
Main Authors:	Cordie, Ahmed, AbdAllah, Mohamed, El Desouky, Eman, Kheir, Sara Gabrallah Mohamed, Kooli, Ikbal, Awad Mousnad, Mohamed, Idris, Fatima Haj, Abdella, Heba, Chakroun, Mohamed, Esmat, Gamal
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	England Oxford University Press 02-05-2022
Subjects:	Adult Communicable Disease Control COVID-19 - epidemiology COVID-19 - prevention & control Female HIV Infections - complications HIV Infections - drug therapy HIV Infections - epidemiology Humans Male SARS-CoV-2 Surveys and Questionnaires COVID-19 HIV Preventive measures Awareness Challenges Delivery of care
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Summary:	Abstract Background Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a huge burden on healthcare systems, especially on programs for chronic illnesses such as HIV. We aimed to assess the challenges confronting adult people living with HIV (PLHIV) in three countries in North Africa during the COVID-19 crisis and their awareness of COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical preventive measures. Methods This online survey included PLHIV aged ≥18 y from three countries in North Africa recruited by a snowball sampling technique, who were asked to complete a modified questionnaire originally developed by the University of Antwerp in Belgium, which was then disseminated through social media tools to assess the study outcomes. Results Out of 369 respondents, 260 (70.5%) were males and 237 (64.2%) were aged 18–39 y. Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, wearing facemasks (308 [83.2%]), applying hand-sanitizers (299 [80.8%]) and following cough etiquette (261 [70.5%]), were predominantly reported. Only 48 (13%) were vaccinated against influenza. One hundred and forty-five participants (42%) experienced flu-like symptoms, 29 (20%) were tested for COVID-19, with only one confirmed case identified. Among 344 (93.2%) on antiretroviral therapy (73.8% efavirenz- vs 6.4% dolutegravir-based regimens), 219 (63.7%) attended their scheduled visits, 144 (41.9%) had limited access to care due to lockdown and 29 (8.4%) became less adherent to their antiretroviral therapy. Covariates associated with challenges during access to care were age ≥60 y (OR=6.5; 95% CI 1.8 to 23.2) and receiving second-line HIV treatment such as protease inhibitors (OR=2.7; 95% CI 1.3 to 5.8). Conclusion The pandemic adversely affected PLHIV. New innovative strategies should be implemented to ensure the continuity of HIV services.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23
ISSN:	0035-9203 1878-3503
DOI:	10.1093/trstmh/trab157