Effects of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic on Human Immunodeficiency Virus Services: Findings from 11 Sub-Saharan African Countries.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Due to concerns about the effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 pandemic on health services, we examined its effects on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Quarterly data (Q1, 10/2019-12/2019; Q2, 1/2020-3/2020; Q3, 4/2020-6/2020; Q4, 7/2020-9/2020) from 1059 health facilities in 11 countries were analyzed and categorized by stringency of pandemic measures. We conducted a difference-in-differences assessment of HIV service changes from Q1-Q2 to Q3-Q4 by higher vs lower stringency.

Results

There was a 3.3% decrease in the number HIV tested from Q2 to Q3 (572 845 to 553 780), with the number testing HIV-positive declining by 4.9% from Q2 to Q3. From Q3 to Q4, the number tested increased by 10.6% (612 646), wi

SUBMITTER: Harris TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9402687 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature