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Attitudes Toward COVID-19 Among People Living with HIV
Attending a Multiethnic Outpatient Center in Houston, Texas
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33% were non-Hispanic Black and 57.4% Hispanic - Conclusions: PWH experienced a wide range of effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to recognize the socioeconomical and psychological implications that will be seen in disadvantaged communities of PWH as a consequence of COVID-19.
Virtual 2020 International Workshop on Comorbidities & Adverse Drug Reactions in HIV
Reported by Jules Levin
Paula Debroy1, Sofia Lupo1, Melissa Reimer-McAtee1, Jonatan E. Gioia1, Jordan E. Lake1
1 University of Texas Health Sciences Center; Houston, TX; USA
Abstract
Attitudes toward COVID-19 among people living with HIV attending a multiethnic outpatient centre in Houston, Texas
P Debroy1, S Lupo1, M Reimer-McAtee1, JE Gioia, JE Lake1
1University of Texas Health Sciences Center, Houston, TX, USA
Objectives: The evolving outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) may impact people with HIV (PWH) in unique ways, beyond the increased risk of medical com- plications. Social distancing measures resulting in social isolation and interruptions in medical care may dispro- portionately affect PWH. The purpose of this study is to capture and understand how COVID-19 is affecting PWH in a low-income, multiethnic urban health centre in Houston, Texas.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey of adult PWH who attend Thomas Street Health Center for outpatient care and volunteered to complete a short telephone ques- tionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated for all patient characteristics and survey responses.
Results: Of the 188 participants, 26% were women, 3.9% were transgender women, 33% were non-Hispanic Black and 57.4% Hispanic. The median (inter- quartile range) age was 49 (40–56) years; 73% had 1 or more comorbidities. Overall, most (82%) people had not experienced difficulty accessing HIV medicines; 25% of patients reported difficulty accessing medical care and failing to attend clinic due to fear of exposure to COVID-19. Most (82.8%) reported being affected by COVID-19 in their daily life; 14% reported being extremely affected. 64% feared getting COVID-19, though a minority feared they were at increased risk of becoming sick, a finding especially true among Black (22.4%) and Hispanic individuals (33.9%) compared with White participants (15.4%). Nearly half (48.4%) reported increased anxiety. More than a third (37.8%) reported feeling depressed, more frequently reported among Black (46.6%) compared with Hispanic indi- viduals (34.8%) and White participants (23%); 31% felt more alone; 90% reported not seeking behavioural health resources. Only 10% reported increased use in alcohol or illegal substances. One in four did not have access to an electronic device for a telemedicine visit. Of the 14% who had lost their job after the pandemic started, 61% were Hispanic.
Conclusions: PWH experienced a wide range of effects from the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to recognize the socioeconomical and psychological implications that will be seen in disadvantaged communities of PWH as a consequence of COVID-19.
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