ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been some difficulties in the routine care of people living with HIV (PLWH). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on mental health of PLWH and their use of health services. This study was conducted using the face-to-face interview method in the outpatient clinic of a university hospital, between 01.09.2020 and 30.11.2020. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and survey instrument designed by the researchers investigating socio-demographic data and access to health services were used. RESULTS: The study included 217 patients, 91.7% (n=199) of whom were male. All of the patients were postponed their hospital appointments, 60.8% were concerned about not being able to contact their physician and 53% had concerned about being stigmatized if they went to the hospital. Of the participants, 27.6% had depression, 12.9% had anxiety and 8.3% had both depression and anxiety. Low income, job loss, and fear of being stigmatized were associated with depression and anxiety. Lower level of education, discontinuation of medications and lack of opportunity to work remotely were associated with depression, while history of psychiatric illness, worry about not being able to contact their physician and cessation of antiretroviral therapy were associated with higher anxiety levels. CONCLUSION: It is important to develop strategies ensuring the continuity of care for PWLH and identify and support those with a higher mental health impact.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , HIV Infections , Humans , Male , Female , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/complications , Depression/epidemiology , Depression/psychology , Turkey/epidemiology , Pandemics , Anxiety/epidemiology , Anxiety/psychology , HIV Infections/drug therapy , HIV Infections/epidemiology , HIV Infections/complicationsABSTRACT
This manuscript aims to present a treatment algorithm we applied to manage COVID-19 patients admitted to our hospital. During the study period, 2043 patients with suspected COVID-19 were admitted to the emergency department. Molecular tests indicated that 475 of these patients tested positive for COVID-19. We administered hydroxychloroquine plus doxycycline to mild cases (isolated at home) for 3 days and lopinavir plus doxycycline to moderate and severe cases (hospitalized) for 5 days. The overall case fatality rate was 4.2% (20/475).