Pediatric HIV Case Identification Across 22 PEPFAR-Supported Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic, October 2019–September 2020

Traub, Ariana; Medley, Amy; Groß, Jessica; Sloan, Margo; Amzel, Anouk; Gleason, Megan M; Fernando, Nimasha B; Wong, Vincent; Grillo, Michael; Wolf, Hilary; Al-Samarrai, Teeb; Frawley, Alean; Segwabe, M.; Motswere, Catherine; Baramperanye, Evelyne; Nzima, Valery; Mayer, Magdalene Mange; Balachandra, Shirish; N'siesi, Francois-Xavier; Longuma, Henri O; Nyembo, Patricia L.; Mazibuko, Sikhathele; Tilahun, Tsegaye; Teferi, Wondimu; Désinor, Olbeg; Reginald, Jean-Louis; Simiyu, Teresa; Nyabiage, Lennah; Mirembe, Justine; Ts'oeu, Mamorapeli; Zomba, Gerald; Nyangulu, Mtemwa; Wate, Argentina; Cowan, Jessica Greenberg; Mali, Denis; Pietersen, Ismelda; Ogundehin, Dolapo; Onotu, Dennis; Ikpeazu, Akudo; Niyonsaba, Esron; Bamwesigye, Jackson; Mabasa, Hlamalani; Kindra, Gurpreet; Bunga, Sudhir; Rwegerera, Fredrick; Machage, Edward; King'ori, Galal; Calnan, Jacqueline; Nazziwa, Esther; Lingenda, Godfrey; Musokotwane, Kebby; Bulaya-Tembo, Ruth; Maphosa, Talent; Srivastava, Maya D.

doi:10.15585/mmwr.mm7128a2

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Furthermore, data from a PEPFAR-wide analysis of the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric testing (0–14-year-old) in 22 countries show similar large decreases. 19 These large declines are likely a result of lockdowns and travel restrictions, disruptions and strains on health facilities and community-based health programming, and other stringent country COVID-19 mitigation policies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Adolescent Programming in 16 Countries With USAID-Supported PEPFAR Programs

Okegbe¹,

Williams

Plourde

et al. 2023

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

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Introduction:The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted access to critical health services, resulting in diminished gains in HIV epidemic control. This review assesses the magnitude of the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on HIV services for adolescents.Methods:PEPFAR Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting programmatic data were analyzed from across 16 USAID-supported adolescent care and treatment programs for fiscal year 2020 (FY20; October 2019–September 2020). Descriptive statistics were used to calculate absolute number and percent change between the pre-COVID-19 (Quarters 1–2; October 2019–March 2020) and COVID-19 periods (Quarters 3–4; April 2020–September 2020) for clinical cascade indicators. All analyses were conducted in Microsoft Excel.Results:The number of HIV tests conducted during COVID-19 decreased by 21.4% compared with pre-COVID-19, with a subsequent 28% decrease in adolescents identified living with HIV. The rate of proxy linkage to antiretroviral therapy increased between periods, from 86.9% to 90.4%. There was a 25.9% decrease in treatment initiations among adolescents during COVID-19. During FY20, viral load coverage rates for adolescents dropped from 81.6% in FY20Q1 to 76.5% in FY20Q4, whereas the rates of viral load suppression for adolescents increased from 76.1% in FY20Q1 to 80.5% in FY20Q4.Conclusion:There was a substantial decrease in case-finding, treatment initiations, and viral load coverage rates for adolescents supported in USAID/PEPFAR programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional health systems adaptations and strategies are required to ensure adolescents have continued access to HIV services during pandemic disruptions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Adolescent Programming in 16 Countries With USAID-Supported PEPFAR Programs

Okegbe¹,

Williams

Plourde

et al. 2023

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

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“…In a recent published study, changes in HIV testing and diagnoses among persons aged 1-14 years were assessed in the 22 President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)-supported countries. HIV testing and case identification decreased by 40.1% and 29.4%, respectively [98]. One study also showed that the screening of sexually transmitted infections among adolescents was also impacted [95].…”

Section: Impact Of Covid 19 Pandemicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gen Z and HIV—Strategies for Optimizing the Care of the Next Generation of Adolescents Living with HIV

Dufour,

Fougère,

Goetghebuer

et al. 2023

Viruses

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The management of adolescents living with HIV represents a particular challenge in the global response to HIV. The challenges specific to this age group include difficulties engaging and maintaining them in care, challenges with transition to adult care, and limited therapeutic options for treatment-experienced patients, all of which have been jeopardized by the COVID-19 pandemic. This paper summarizes some of the challenges in managing adolescents living with HIV, as well as some of the most recent and innovative therapeutic approaches in this population.

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Improving HIV Case Finding Through Index Testing: Findings from Health Facilities in 12 Districts of South Africa, October 2019–September 2021

Aheron,

Paredes–Vincent,

Patton

et al. 2024

AIDS Behav

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Pediatric HIV Case Identification Across 22 PEPFAR-Supported Countries During the COVID-19 Pandemic, October 2019–September 2020

Cited by 3 publications

References 5 publications

Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Adolescent Programming in 16 Countries With USAID-Supported PEPFAR Programs

Impact of COVID-19 on HIV Adolescent Programming in 16 Countries With USAID-Supported PEPFAR Programs

Gen Z and HIV—Strategies for Optimizing the Care of the Next Generation of Adolescents Living with HIV

Improving HIV Case Finding Through Index Testing: Findings from Health Facilities in 12 Districts of South Africa, October 2019–September 2021

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