Impact of Covid-19 on people living with HIV and HIV care
A qualitative study in the Volta Region of Ghana
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19590850 |
|---|---|
| Authors | David Ayangba Asakitogum (0000-0002-7987-782X, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Jerry John Nutor (0000-0002-7562-6281, University of California, San Francisco, corresponding author), Rachel Thompson (0000-0001-7233-0242, University of Ghana, corresponding author), Rachel G A Thompson, Robert Kaba Alhassan (0000-0003-4227-4854, University of Health and Allied Sciences, corresponding author), Akua O Gyamerah (0000-0003-3394-6532, University at Buffalo, State University of New York, corresponding author) |
| Editors | Peter Bai James (0000-0002-6373-5704) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Volume | 4 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Pages | e0003017 |
| Publication date | 2024-03-15 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | PLOS Global Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2767-3375 • E-ISSN: 2767-3375 |
| Publisher | Public Library of Science (PLoS) (PUBLISHER) |
| DOI | 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003017 |
| PMID | 38489328 |
| OpenAlex | W4392857307 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 31 |
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant social changes and challenges globally, including economic slowdown and limitation of essential services. Our study explored the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the HIV treatment experiences and lives of people living with HIV in Ghana. Between October 2021 and January 2022, we conducted four focus group discussions with 24 people living with HIV and six in-depth interviews with healthcare providers to understand the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on their lives and HIV treatment and care. Transcribed interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis. The COVID-19 pandemic most impacted people living with HIV economically and psychosocially. Economic challenges included loss of income/economic support, financial hardship, and material insecurities. The psychosocial impact included fear of the health impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV and social isolation. The pandemic also impacted participants’ HIV treatment and care services including change in their site of care and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Clinics in particular modified HIV care services to maintain treatment and care during the pandemic. Healthcare providers also implemented direct antiretroviral therapy service delivery to clients, which reduced patient overcrowding but increased providers’ workload and expenses. The COVID-19 pandemic caused economic hardship, social isolation, and changes in HIV treatment and care services for people living with HIV. It also imposed a work and financial burden on healthcare providers. However, service changes made by providers helped sustain HIV care and treatment for clients and should inform future pandemic responses in HIV services
Business · Disease · Economic growth · Focus group · Health care · Pandemic · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Qualitative research · Social isolation · Sociology · Thematic analysis · COVID-19 and Mental Health · COVID-19 Impact on Reproduction · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Gerontology
Psychosocial impact of Covid-19
Covid-19 pandemic
The socio-economic implications of the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19)
Mitigating the effects of Covid-19 on HIV treatment and care in Lusaka, Zambia
“When you have an immune disease like HIV and there is a pandemic, you still have to pay your bills”
Challenges to HIV service delivery and the impacts on patient care during Covid-19
HIV and Food Insecurity
Differences in Covid-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria
Food Insecurity During the Covid-19 Pandemic
Increased Depression during Covid-19 Lockdown Associated with Food Insecurity and Antiretroviral Non-Adherence among People Living with HIV in Uganda
Socioeconomic impacts of Covid-19 in low-income countries
| Highly cited | No |
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