Introduction:
People living with HIV (PLWH) are more susceptible to acquiring and
having serious consequences from COVID-19. The objective of this study was to examine the correlation
between COVID-19 infection and other risk factors in these patients.
Methods:
This is a descriptive-analytical study recruiting 160 PLWH referred to the Behavioral
Disease Counselling Centre of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran in 2021. The patients were selected
through convenient sampling. A checklist was used to collect the necessary data. Descriptive
statistical tests, such as mean and standard deviation, were employed alongside inferential
statistics, including chi-square, Fisher, independent t-tests, and logistic regression, all evaluated at
a significance level of p<0.05 using the R software.
Results:
The patients' average age was 43.15 ± 11.23. Forty-four women and 116 men were present.
A notable association was observed between the incidence of COVID-19 and variables such
as hepatitis C and the duration of time since HIV diagnosis (p<0.001). Moreover, a strong correlation
was found between the amount of COVID-19 vaccination doses given to patients and their
probability of acquiring the disease. The first vaccination dose was linked to a 5.45 percent increase
in COVID-19 incidence in patients, whereas the second and third doses (t=2.95, t=7.57) reduced
the risk of getting COVID-19. Furthermore, no discernible link (p>0.05) was found between
the use of various antiretroviral medications and COVID-19 infection.
Conclusion:
This study finds that vaccine type doesn't impact COVID-19 outcomes in HIV-positive
patients, but receiving more doses decreases the probability of occurrence of COVID-19, advocating
for multiple vaccinations. However, PLWH, especially those non-compliant with antiretrovirals,
need strict adherence to health protocols due to heightened vulnerability to viral illnesses.