Quick community survey on the impact of COVID-19 outbreak for the healthcare of people living with HIV
10.3760/cma.j.cn112338-20200314-00345
- VernacularTitle:新型冠状病毒肺炎流行对HIV感染者卫生需求影响的快速评估
- Author:
Wei GUO
1
;
Huiling WENG
;
Hua BAI
;
Jie LIU
;
Xiangnan WEI
;
Kai ZHOU
;
Amakobe SANDE
Author Information
1. 联合国艾滋病规划署（UNAIDS），北京 100600
- Keywords:
COVID-19;
Outbreak;
HIV;
Antiretroviral medicines;
Evaluation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology
2020;41(5):662-666
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To collect the current status and healthcare needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in China during the COVID-19 outbreak to inform quick response from government and communities.Methods:During February 5 th to 10 th, 2020, a national anonymous survey was conducted using an online questionnaire among PLHIV at least 18 years of age and had started antiretroviral treatment (ART) to collect the information on COVID-19 prevention, HIV-related health services and the needs on psychosocial support. Current status and needs of people living with HIV were analyzed in Hubei and other regions. Results:A total of 1 014 valid questionnaires were collected, with PLHIV respondents cross the country. The survey revealed that 93.79% of the respondents could obtain information regarding the prevention of COVID-19 from their communities or villages. Respondents were concerned with HIV-specific protective measures and personal protective equipment shortage. 32.64% of all respondents were not carrying sufficient antiretroviral medicines (ARVs) to meet the needs under traffic and travel restrictions, and some could face stock-outs in the coming month. In Hubei province where 53 respondents needed ARV refill, 64.15% reported difficulty accessing ARV due to the "blockage" . 28.93% respondents were in need of sociopsychological support, and 85.31% anticipated further improvement of the out-of-town ARV refill process from the government.Conclusion:PLHIV wants to know HIV-specific protective measures against COVID-19 outbreak. PLHIV who returned to their home-towns and affected by the lock-downs reported challenges with refills. We should undertake a more systematic study on impacts of the COVID-19 on PLHIV to develop preparedness capacity for future public health emergency.
