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Pinto RM, Hall E, Im V, Lee CA, Ethan Park S. Disruptions to HIV services due to the COVID pandemic in the USA: a state-level stakeholder perspective. BMC Health Serv Res 2024; 24:196. [PMID: 38350945 PMCID: PMC10865595 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-024-10609-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The United States envisions a 90% reduction in HIV infections by 2030. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the HIV continuum and disproportionately affected access to social and health services for people at the highest vulnerability. This study shows how stakeholders in the State of Michigan handled disruptions and their key recommendations. As a case study, this study adds to the literature about preparedness for future pandemics. METHODS We interviewed 33 statewide Michigan HIV/AIDS Council members-practitioners, researchers, and community representatives, guiding service planning, improvement, and resource allocations, measuring group cohesiveness using a tested scale. We measured group cohesiveness as a proxy for how individual opinions reflected those of the Council as a group. We used qualitative questions to assess: (1) how the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted HIV prevention; (2) how disruptions were handled; and (3) recommendation to help address disruptions now and in the future. Using thematic analysis, we coded the interviews. RESULTS We found a high degree of cohesiveness. Participants agreed that the pandemic disrupted HIV prevention services (e.g., HIV testing, PrEP education, referrals to primary care, etcetera) offered by community organizations, hospital clinics, and health departments across the state. In response, they developed online and curbside services to maintain HIV services, abate social isolation, and address structural issues like lack of food and public transportation. We organized results in four categories: (1) HIV service disruptions (e.g., "Housing for women and children who are fleeing a legal situation"); (2) Responses to disruptions (e.g., "Some of them, we would say, hey, weather permitting, we'll come out to your car"); (3) Minoritized groups disproportionately affected (e.g., "Especially in my community, to get people if there's ever a vaccine, Black people are going to be the last people to take it"); and (4) Recommendations (below). CONCLUSIONS The pandemic unsettled and further exacerbated every aspect of HIV service provision. The main recommendation was to overhaul communication systems between government and organizations offering HIV services to mitigate disruptions and improve the chances of achieving a 90% reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério M Pinto
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Evan Hall
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vitalis Im
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Carol A Lee
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sunggeun Ethan Park
- School of Social Work, University of Michigan, 1080 South University Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
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Poteat TC, Wirtz AL, Adams D, Linton SL, Gutierrez C, Brown C, Miller M, Rich AJ, Williams J, Nguyen TQ, Reisner SL. Brief Report: Interruptions in HIV Prevention and Treatment During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adults in the United States. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 93:181-186. [PMID: 36881811 PMCID: PMC10272025 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Transgender and gender nonbinary (TNB) people have been disproportionately affected by HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the prevalence of HIV prevention and treatment (HPT) interruptions during the pandemic and identified factors associated with these interruptions. SETTING Data were drawn from LITE Connect, a US-based, nationwide, online, self-administered survey designed to examine the experiences of TNB adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sample of 2134 participants were recruited between June 14, 2021, and May 1, 2022. METHODS The analytic sample was restricted to participants taking antiretroviral medications to prevent or treat HIV before the onset of the pandemic (n = 153). We calculated descriptive statistics as well as Pearson χ 2 bivariate tests and multivariable models to identify factors associated with HPT interruptions during the pandemic. RESULTS Thirty-nine percent of participants experienced an HPT interruption. We found a lower odds of HPT interruptions among participants living with HIV [adjusted odds ratios (aOR) 0.45; 95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 0.22, 0.92; P = 0.02] and essential workers [aOR 0.49; 95% CI: 0.23, 1.0; P = 0.06] and higher odds among people with chronic mental health conditions [aOR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.1, 6.2; P = 0.03]. When sex and education were included, we found a lower odds of interruptions among people with higher education. CI widened, but the magnitude and direction of effects did not change for the other variables. CONCLUSIONS Focused strategies to address longstanding psychosocial and structural inequities are needed to mitigate HPT treatment interruptions in TNB people and prevent similar challenges during future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tonia C Poteat
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | | | - Sabriya L Linton
- Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Carmen Gutierrez
- Department of Public Policy, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Carter Brown
- Black Transgender Advocacy Coalition, Dallas, TX
| | - Marissa Miller
- Trans Solutions Research and Resource Center, Indianapolis, IN
| | - Ashleigh J Rich
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Jennifer Williams
- Department of Social Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Trang Q Nguyen
- Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Sari L Reisner
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA; and
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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VanBenschoten H, Kuganantham H, Larsson EC, Endler M, Thorson A, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Hanson C, Ganatra B, Ali M, Cleeve A. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to and utilisation of services for sexual and reproductive health: a scoping review. BMJ Glob Health 2022; 7:bmjgh-2022-009594. [PMID: 36202429 PMCID: PMC9539651 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2022-009594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted health systems globally and widened preexisting disparities. We conducted a scoping review on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls’ access to and utilisation of sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services for contraception, abortion, gender-based and intimate partner violence (GBV/IPV) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods We systematically searched peer reviewed literature and quantitative reports, published between December 2019 and July 2021, focused on women and girls’ (15–49 years old) access to and utilisation of selected SRH services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Included studies were grouped based on setting, SRH service area, study design, population and reported impact. Qualitative data were coded, organised thematically and grouped by major findings. Results We included 83 of 3067 identified studies and found that access to contraception, in-person safe abortion services, in-person services for GBV/IPV and STI/HIV testing, prevention and treatment decreased. The geographical distribution of this body of research was uneven and significantly less representative of countries where COVID-19 restrictions were very strict. Access was limited by demand and supply side barriers including transportation disruptions, financial hardships, limited resources and legal restrictions. Few studies focused on marginalised groups with distinct SRH needs. Conclusion Reports indicated negative impacts on access to and utilisation of SRH services globally, especially for marginalised populations during the pandemic. Our findings call for strengthening of health systems preparedness and resilience to safeguard global access to essential SRH services in ongoing and future emergencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah VanBenschoten
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | | | - Elin C Larsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,WHO Collaborating Center for Human Reproduction, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Margit Endler
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Obsetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Thorson
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneve, Switzerland,Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,WHO Collaborating Center for Human Reproduction, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Claudia Hanson
- Department of Global Public Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Disease Control, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London, UK
| | - Bela Ganatra
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Moazzam Ali
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, WHO, Geneve, Switzerland
| | - Amanda Cleeve
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden,Department of Obsetrics and Gynecology, Stockholm South General Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Rosen JG, Zhang L, Pelaez D, Coleman JS, To C, Cooper L, Olatunde PF, Toomre T, Glick JL, Park JN. Provider Perspectives on HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis Service Disruptions and Adaptations During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Baltimore, Maryland: A Qualitative Study. AIDS Patient Care STDS 2022; 36:313-320. [PMID: 35951445 PMCID: PMC9419971 DOI: 10.1089/apc.2022.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic continues driving unprecedented disruptions to health care provision, including HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services. We explored service provider experiences promoting and prescribing PrEP to marginalized populations during the COVID-19 pandemic in Baltimore, Maryland. In February to April 2021, we facilitated four virtual focus group discussions with 20 PrEP providers, representing various professional cadres and practice settings. Employing an iterative, team-based thematic analysis, we identified salient enablers and constraints to PrEP promotion, initiation, and maintenance in the COVID-19 era, along with innovative adaptations to PrEP service delivery. Discussants described attenuated demands for PrEP early in the pandemic, exemplified by high PrEP discontinuation rates. This was attributed to changes in clients' sexual behaviors and shifting priorities, including caregiving responsibilities, during the pandemic. Substantial systems-level disruptions impacting PrEP provision were identified, including outreach service suspension, personnel shortages, and facility restrictions on face-to-face visits. Providers emphasized that these disruptions, though occurring early in the pandemic, had protracted impacts on PrEP accessibility. The transition to telemedicine rendered health care services, including PrEP, more accessible/convenient to some clients and expeditious to providers. However, structural barriers to telehealth engagement (telephone/internet access), coupled with limitations of the virtual care environment (difficulty establishing rapport), impeded efforts to equitably promote and prescribe PrEP. Expanding the PrEP outreach workforce and availing alternatives to telemedicine (e.g., community-based PrEP provision, specimen self-collection) could facilitate PrEP care continuity, especially as COVID-19 transitions from an acute to a protracted health crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph G Rosen
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leanne Zhang
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Danielle Pelaez
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jenell S Coleman
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - C To
- Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lyra Cooper
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Praise F Olatunde
- Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Teagan Toomre
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jennifer L Glick
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Ju Nyeong Park
- Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Division of General Internal Medicine, Warren Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
- Center for Biomedical Research Excellence on Opioids and Overdose, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Dauria EF, Kulkarni P, Clemenzi-Allen A, Brinkley-Rubinstein L, Beckwith CG. Interventions Designed to Improve HIV Continuum of Care Outcomes for Persons with HIV in Contact with the Carceral System in the USA. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 2022; 19:281-291. [PMID: 35674879 PMCID: PMC9175158 DOI: 10.1007/s11904-022-00609-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To describe existing evidence and identify future directions for intervention research related to improving HIV care outcomes for persons with HIV involved in the carceral system in the USA, a population with high unmet HIV care needs. RECENT FINDINGS Few recent intervention studies focus on improving HIV care outcomes for this population. Successful strategies to improve care outcomes include patient navigation, substance use treatment, and incentivizing HIV care outcomes. Technology-supported interventions are underutilized in this population. Notable gaps in the existing literature include intervention research addressing HIV care needs for cisgender and transgender women and those under carceral supervision in the community. Future research should address existing gaps in the literature and respond to emergent needs including understanding how the changing HIV care delivery environment resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the approval of new injectable ART formulation shape HIV care outcomes in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily F Dauria
- Graduate School of Public Health, Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Priyanka Kulkarni
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Angelo Clemenzi-Allen
- Division of HIV, Infectious Diseases and Global Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- San Francisco Department of Public Health, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein
- Department of Social Medicine and Center for Health Equity Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Curt G Beckwith
- Alpert Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases/Department of Medicine, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
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