Effects of COVID-19 Pandemic on Treatment, Follow-up, and Lifestyle and Behavioral Characteristics in People Living with HIV

Abstract

Objectives: Limited available data currently indicate that the course of Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not differ from people without HIV. During overstressing circumstances like pandemics, it is important to know how the population, especially special groups, are coping with such a major disaster. Measures and policies which are adopted according to this special patient group can change the quality of care in HIV patients. Health authorities have implemented some policies for elderly and special patient populations. In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment, follow-up and lifestyle and behavioral characteristics of HIV patients. Materials and Methods: A phone survey was applied to all HIV patients who were followed regularly in our center. A total of 100 patients were included. The patients were asked about whether there was a disruption in follow-up and treatment. In addition, patient groups with and without anxiety were compared. Results: Education level was higher and the duration of HIV infection was longer in the patient group with anxiety (p=0.01 and p=0.007, respectively). The groups were compared for follow-up disruption. Disruption of follow-up was more frequent in retired, working and student patients (p=0.01). Eighty-five percent stated that they adopted lifestyle and behavioral changes due to COVID-19. Conclusion: Compliance with measures was sufficient and no patient was infected with the novel coronavirus. The appropriate measures and correct policies implemented by the authorities and patients’ compliance with the protective measures have played a major role in ensuring the continuity of treatment of patients with chronic illnesses like HIV infection.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• HIV Infection
• Treatment
• Pandemic
• Anxiety

Abstract

Amaç: Mevcut sınırlı veriler, şu anda insan bağışıklık yetmezliği virüsü (HIV) ile yaşayan hastalarda Koronavirüs hastalığı-2019 (COVID-19) hastalığı seyrinin HIV ile enfekte olmayan bireylerden farklı olmadığını göstermektedir. Pandemi gibi aşırı strese neden olabilecek koşullarda, kişilerin özellikle de bazı özel hasta gruplarının böylesine büyük bir durumla nasıl başa çıktığını bilmek önemlidir. Bu hasta grubuna özel alınan önlemler ve politikalar, HIV hastalarının bakım kalitesini değiştirebilir. Sağlık otoriteleri, yaşlılar ve özel hasta grupları için bazı politikalar uygulamıştır. Bu çalışmada, COVID-19 salgınının HIV hastalarının tedavi, takip ve yaşam tarzı ve davranış özellikleri üzerindeki etkisinin değerlendirilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Merkezimizde düzenli olarak takip edilen tüm HIV hastalarına telefonla anket uygulandı. Toplam 100 hasta dahil edildi. Hastalara takip ve tedavide aksama olup olmadığı soruldu. Ayrıca anksiyetesi olan ve olmayan hasta grupları bazı özellikler açısından karşılaştırıldı. Bulgular: Anksiyetesi olan hasta grubunda eğitim düzeyi daha yüksek ve HIV enfeksiyonu süresi daha uzun izlendi (sırasıyla p=0,01 ve p=0,007). Gruplar takipte aksama açısından karşılaştırıldı. Emekli, çalışan ve öğrenci hastalarda takipte aksama daha sık bulundu (p=0,01). Hastaların %85’i COVID-19 nedeniyle yaşam tarzı ve davranış değişiklikleri geliştirdiklerini belirtti.

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