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Impact of COVID-19 on income, prevention attitudes, and access to healthcare among male clients in a Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic.
Rick, Fernanda; Ishigami, Bruno Issao; Figueiroa, François José; Cahete, Lucas Rafael de Castro; Humar, Renato Chuster H; Jesus, Roberto de; Costa Junior, Marcos A; Benzaken, Adele S; Avelino-Silva, Vivian I.
  • Rick F; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Global Program, Los Angeles, USA.
  • Ishigami BI; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil; Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Recife, PE, Brazil.
  • Figueiroa FJ; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil.
  • Cahete LRC; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil.
  • Humar RCH; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil.
  • Jesus R; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil.
  • Costa Junior MA; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Brazilian Program, Recife, Brazil.
  • Benzaken AS; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Global Program, Los Angeles, USA.
  • Avelino-Silva VI; Aids Healthcare Foundation, Global Program, Los Angeles, USA; Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: viviansilva87@gmail.com.
Braz J Infect Dis ; 25(5): 101617, 2021.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1377669
ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:

Mobility restrictions and overloaded health services during the COVID-19 pandemic compromised services dedicated to the prevention and care of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). In this study, we present client's responses to standardized questionnaires applied during the COVID-19 pandemic period as part of the strategy to measure impacts on social and sexual vulnerability, access to STI prevention services, and access to STI care.

METHODS:

The questionnaires included variables on sociodemographics, behavior, risk perception, prevention attitudes, barriers to service-based HIV rapid test, reasons for taking an HIV self-test, and access to health services for STI diagnosis and treatment. We explored demographic variables associated with income reduction, reduced access to HIV/STI testing/treatment and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI.

RESULTS:

847 participants responded to the study questionnaire between May 2020 and January 2021. Most were young, cisgender male, and 63% self-reported as men who have sex with men. Income reductions were reported by 50%, with 30% reporting a decline over 50% of total income. An increase in heavy episodic drinking (>5 doses) was reported by 18%; 7% reported more sexual partners and 6% reported using condoms less often. Difficulties in obtaining HIV tests, tests for other STI and treatment for STI were reported by 5%, 6% and 6%, respectively. Lower schooling was significantly associated with income reduction (p = 0.004) and with reduced access to HIV/STI testing or STI treatment (p = 0.024); employment status was associated with income reduction (p < 0.001) and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI (p = 0.027). Having access to an expedite test result, avoiding physical attendance in health units during the pandemic, and undertaking the test with privacy with a trusted person were reported as motivators for HIV self-test.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings are relevant to promote service improvements tailored to subgroups more likely to struggle with detrimental effects during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Sexually Transmitted Diseases / HIV Infections / Sexual and Gender Minorities / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Braz J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.bjid.2021.101617

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Sexually Transmitted Diseases / HIV Infections / Sexual and Gender Minorities / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study Limits: Humans / Male Language: English Journal: Braz J Infect Dis Journal subject: Communicable Diseases Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.bjid.2021.101617