HIV Care in Crisis: How COVID-19 Changed the Game

The COVID-19 pandemic threw a wrench into healthcare systems worldwide, and HIV care was no exception. In Thailand, a recent study looked at how the pandemic affected people living with HIV. Researchers focused on those who missed appointments and compared them to those who didn't.

The study involved 615 people living with HIV who attended an infectious disease clinic between 2021 and 2022. Of these, 304 had missed appointments, while 311 had not. Those who missed appointments were, on average, three years younger than those who didn't. They were also more likely to have opportunistic infections and reported missing doses of their antiretroviral medication.

People who missed appointments relied more heavily on telemedicine and faced greater challenges in accessing healthcare, dealing with family issues, and managing daily activities and finances due to COVID-19. After the pandemic, this group had a lower rate of viral suppression.

Factors that contributed to missed appointments included having opportunistic infections in the past, reduced access to healthcare, family-related challenges, and reliance on telemedicine. On the other hand, older age was linked to fewer missed appointments.

The pandemic highlighted the need for flexible strategies to keep HIV care on track during public health crises. This is especially important for younger individuals and those with a history of opportunistic infections. By understanding these challenges, healthcare providers can work to ensure that people living with HIV receive the care they need, even in tough times.