BMC Infectious Diseases (Jan 2024)

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study in Caracas, Venezuela

  • David A. Forero-Peña,
  • Fhabián S. Carrión-Nessi,
  • José L. Forero-Peña,
  • Natasha A. Camejo-Ávila,
  • Daniela L. Mendoza-Millán,
  • Óscar D. Omaña-Ávila,
  • Andrea L. Maricuto,
  • Viledy L. Velásquez,
  • Mario D. Mejía-Bernard,
  • Carlis M. Rodriguez-Saavedra,
  • María V. Marcano-Rojas,
  • Yoesmir Contreras,
  • Luis J. Guerra,
  • María F. Alvarado,
  • Martín Carballo,
  • Jocays Caldera,
  • Rafael N. Guevara,
  • María C. Redondo,
  • María E. Landaeta

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-023-08967-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 24, no. 1
pp. 1 – 10

Abstract

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Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted multiple health services, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing, care, and treatment services, jeopardizing the achievement of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS 90-90-90 global target. While there are limited studies assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Latin America, there are none, to our knowledge, in Venezuela. This study aims to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic among PLHIV seen at the outpatient clinic of a reference hospital in Venezuela. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among PLHIV aged 18 years and over seen at the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela between March 2021 and February 2022. Results A total of 238 PLHIV were included in the study. The median age was 43 (IQR 31–55) years, and the majority were male (68.9%). Most patients (88.2%, n = 210) came for routine check-ups, while 28 (11.3%) were newly diagnosed. The majority of patients (96.1%) were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), but only 67.8% had a viral load test, with almost all (95.6%) being undetectable. Among those who attended regular appointments, 11.9% reported missing at least one medical consultation, and 3.3% reported an interruption in their ART refill. More than half of the patients (55.5%) had received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the rest expressed hesitancy to get vaccinated. Most patients with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy were male (65.1%), younger than 44 years (57.5%), employed (47.2%), and had been diagnosed with HIV for less than one year (33%). However, no statistically significant differences were found between vaccinated patients and those with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Older age was a risk factor for missing consultations, while not having an alcoholic habit was identified as a protective factor against missing consultations. Conclusion This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on adherence to medical consultations and interruptions in ART among PLHIV seen at the University Hospital of Caracas, Venezuela.

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