ABSTRACT
Introduction/ Background: Nigeria, like the rest of the world, introduced public health measures to control SARS-CoV-2 infection. These measures especially movement restrictions impacted all aspects of citizens' life including health services. This study was conducted to determine the impact of COVID-19 movement restriction on treatment outcomes among individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was a retrospective review of the electronic database at the HIV clinic of the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research over a 5-month period (three months before, during, and after the COVID-19 movement restriction). The study population were people living with HIV attending the HIV clinic. Information on sociodemographic, and clinical (type of ARTs, duration on ART, laboratory evaluation) were extracted from database and analyzed using the SPSS version 22.0. Results: The data of 4145 individuals in the database were extracted and reviewed. The median age of PLWH was 45 years, with the majority within the age group being 25-49years (65.4%), married (59.5%), had at least secondary education (82.8%), and employed (81.5%). The median duration on ARTs was 102 months (IQR: 67-138) with the most on non-Protease Inhibitor based regimen (77.7%). The drug pickup declined by 40% from the pre-movement restriction period levels. Three months post movements restriction, laboratory monitoring for treatment outcomes were mostly affected as none of the patients had their routine test performed during the locked down period. Impact: The COVID -19 movement restriction had a significant impact on the treatment access among people living with HIV. This could portend untowards public health effect on the gains of HIV care. Conclusion: The COVID -19 movement restriction resulted in the decline of antiretroviral drug pick by 40% and almost no performance of laboratory monitoring HIV diseases. It is recommended that in future restriction of movement government and institutions should put in palace contingency plan to ensure that HIV services are not compromised.