Assessing the Potential Impact of Disruptions Due to COVID-19 on HIV Among Key and Lower-Risk Populations in the Largest Cities of Cameroon and Benin

Silhol, Romain; Geidelberg, Lily; Mitchell, Kate; Mishra, Sharmistha; Dimitrov, Dobromir; Bowring, Anna L; Béhanzin, Luc; Diabaté, Souleymane; Schwartz, Sheree; Billong, Serge Clotaire; Njindam, Iliassou Mfochive; Levitt, Daniel; Mukandavire, Christinah; Maheu‐Giroux, Mathieu; Rönn, Minttu M; Dalal, Shona; Vickerman, Peter; Baral, Stefan; Alary, Michel; Boily, Marie Claude

doi:10.1097/qai.0000000000002663

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 71 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Models suggested that substantial increases in HIV related mortality by up to 40% are expected in next years in sub-Saharan Africa due to severe interruption of ART [15]. A mathematical model by researchers from Cameroon and Benin estimated that, in the worst-case scenario, a 6-month interruption of ART initiation and 50% reduction in HIV prevention/treatment use, would disproportionately impact key populations (especially female sex workers) with an increase of HIV incidence (+50%) and related deaths (+20%) over one year [22]. Moreover, several reports have predicted increases in mother-to-child HIV transmission rates and HIV drug resistance [15].…”

Section: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 on communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa: a narrative review

2022

Infez Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disproportionately impacted global human health, economy, and security. Because of weaker health-care systems, existing comorbidities burden (HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and non-communicable conditions), and poor socioeconomic determinants, initial predictive models had forecast a disastrous impact of COVID-19 in Africa in terms of transmission, severity, and deaths. Nonetheless, current epidemiological data seem not to have matched expectations, showing lower SARS-CoV-2 infection and fatality rates compared to Europe, the Americas and Asia. However, only few studies were conducted in low-and middle-income African settings where high poverty and limited access to health services worsen underlying health conditions, including endemic chronic infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis. Furthermore, limited, and heterogeneous research was conducted to evaluate the indirect impact of the pandemic on general health services and on major dis-SUMMARY eases across African countries. International mitigation measures, such as resource reallocation, lockdowns, social restrictions, and fear from the population have had multi-sectoral impacts on various aspects of everyday life, that shaped the general health response. Despite the vast heterogeneity of data across African countries, available evidence suggests that the COV-ID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the control and prevention programs, the diagnosis capacity and the adherence to treatment of major infectious diseases (HIV, TB, and Malaria) -including neglected diseasesand non-communicable diseases. Future research and efforts are essential to deeply assess the medium-and long-term impact of the pandemic, and to implement tailored interventions to mitigate the standstill on decades of improvement on public health programs.

show abstract

Section: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv)mentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of COVID-19 on communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa: a narrative review

2022

Infez Med

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The DRC government also took precautions to avoid supply stock shortages despite shutdown activities and border restrictions. For example, the movement of residents was not restricted within each province, but was restricted between provinces [ 25 , 26 ]. Other studies have shown positive outcomes of MMD because it reduced barriers to access to ART facilities (such as transportation and time off from work) and prevented the overcrowding of clinics, thus reducing the risk of COVID-19 transmission as well [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential effects of disruption to HIV programs and CoT in sub-Saharan Africa caused by COVID-19 were forecasted to result in increases in mortality risk, most notably due to the disruption to the supply of ART resulting in an individual’s discontinuation of ART [ 26 ]. In addition to a six-month interruption of ART supply, other disruption scenarios included reduced outreach and access to clinics, which was expected to cause a decrease in ART initiations, HIV testing, and the proportion of PLHIV that are VL suppressed [ 27 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Firth’s Logistic Regression of Interruption in Treatment before and after the Onset of COVID-19 among People Living with HIV on ART in Two Provinces of DRC

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic extends beyond the immediate physical effects of the virus, including service adjustments for people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Purpose: To compare treatment interruptions in the year immediately pre-COVID-19 and after the onset of COVID-19 (10 April 2020 to 30 March 2021). Methods: We analyze quantitative data covering 36,585 persons with HIV who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART) between 1 April 2019 and 30 March 2021 at 313 HIV/AIDS care clinics in the Haut-Katanga and Kinshasa provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), using Firth’s logistic regression. Results: Treatment interruption occurs in 0.9% of clients and tuberculosis (TB) is detected in 1.1% of clients. The odds of treatment interruption are significantly higher (adjusted odds ratio: 12.5; 95% confidence interval, CI (8.5–18.3)) in the pre-COVID-19 period compared to during COVID-19. The odds of treatment interruption are also higher for clients with TB, those receiving ART at urban clinics, those younger than 15 years old, and female clients (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The clients receiving ART from HIV clinics in two provinces of DRC had a lower risk of treatment interruption during COVID-19 than the year before COVID-19, attributable to program adjustments.

show abstract

“…In a study using data from Cameroon and Benin, a 6-month disruption in ART initiation and a 50% reduction in the provision of HIV prevention/treatment was projected to increase HIV incidence by 50% and HIV-related deaths by 20%. 22 Similarly, a modeling study using Chinese data showed that the overall impact of COVID-10 on HIV incidence and HIV-related deaths depend on which services are disrupted and the intensity and duration of impairments. 23 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on income, prevention attitudes, and access to healthcare among male clients in a Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic

Rick¹,

Ishigami²,

Figueiroa³

et al. 2021

The Brazilian Journal of Infectious Diseases

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Mobility restrictions and overloaded health services during the COVID-19 pandemic compromised services dedicated to the prevention and care of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). In this study, we present client's responses to standardized questionnaires applied during the COVID-19 pandemic period as part of the strategy to measure impacts on social and sexual vulnerability, access to STI prevention services, and access to STI care. Methods The questionnaires included variables on sociodemographics, behavior, risk perception, prevention attitudes, barriers to service-based HIV rapid test, reasons for taking an HIV self-test, and access to health services for STI diagnosis and treatment. We explored demographic variables associated with income reduction, reduced access to HIV/STI testing/treatment and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI. Results 847 participants responded to the study questionnaire between May 2020 and January 2021. Most were young, cisgender male, and 63% self-reported as men who have sex with men. Income reductions were reported by 50%, with 30% reporting a decline over 50% of total income. An increase in heavy episodic drinking (>5 doses) was reported by 18%; 7% reported more sexual partners and 6% reported using condoms less often. Difficulties in obtaining HIV tests, tests for other STI and treatment for STI were reported by 5%, 6% and 6%, respectively. Lower schooling was significantly associated with income reduction ( p = 0.004) and with reduced access to HIV/STI testing or STI treatment ( p = 0.024); employment status was associated with income reduction ( p < 0.001) and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI ( p = 0.027). Having access to an expedite test result, avoiding physical attendance in health units during the pandemic, and undertaking the test with privacy with a trusted person were reported as motivators for HIV self-test. Conclusions Our findings are relevant to promote service improvements tailored to subgroups more likely to struggle with detrimental effects during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

show abstract

Assessing the Potential Impact of Disruptions Due to COVID-19 on HIV Among Key and Lower-Risk Populations in the Largest Cities of Cameroon and Benin

Abstract: Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text.

Cited by 12 publications

References 71 publications

The impact of COVID-19 on communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa: a narrative review

The impact of COVID-19 on communicable and non-communicable diseases in Africa: a narrative review

Firth’s Logistic Regression of Interruption in Treatment before and after the Onset of COVID-19 among People Living with HIV on ART in Two Provinces of DRC

Impact of COVID-19 on income, prevention attitudes, and access to healthcare among male clients in a Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About