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HEALTHCARE ACCESS among SOUTH AFRICAN YOUTH LIVING with & WITHOUT HIV during COVID-19
Topics in Antiviral Medicine ; 30(1 SUPPL):380, 2022.
Article in English | EMBASE | ID: covidwho-1880274
ABSTRACT

Background:

We aimed to examine concerns surrounding COVID-19 infection and healthcare access among South African young people (YP) living with HIV (YPLWH) and HIV-uninfected YP with the goal of identifying differences between groups.

Methods:

We examined cross-sectional data from the baseline procedures of the BUDDY study conducted among YP (13-24 years) living with and without HIV in Cape Town, South Africa from February-September 2021. YPLWH were recruited from an HIV clinic and HIV-uninfected YP were recruited through community outreach. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) were computed to estimate associations between HIV cohort and COVID-19 testing, vaccine acceptance, and access to healthcare services since March 2020 controlling for participant age and gender.

Results:

A total of 535 participants were enrolled into the study, including 217 YPLWH and 318 HIV-uninfected YP. The median age, 19.1 years (IQR=16.6-21.5), was similar between groups. YPLWH were 58% female and HIV-uninfected YP were 78% female (p<.001). YPLWH were less than half as likely than HIV-uninfected YP to have received a COVID-19 test (6% vs 12%, aPR=0.48, 95% CI 0.26-0.89), to be willing to accept a COVID-19 vaccine (49% vs 59%, aPR=0.84, 95% CI 0.71-0.99), and to be concerned about becoming severely ill from COVID-19 (60% vs 76%, aPR=0.79, 95% CI 0.69-0.89). Perceived risk of becoming infected with COVID-19 in the next month was similar between YPLWH and HIV-uninfected YP (32% vs 36%). YPLWH were more likely than HIV-uninfected YP to report being unable to attend a healthcare appointment (27% vs 20%, aPR=1.39, 95% CI 1.01-1.90). Further, a greater proportion of YPLWH attempted to access condoms (aPR=1.51, 95% CI 1.32-1.74) and HIV/STI testing services (aPR=1.58, 95% CI 1.38-1.80) than HIV-uninfected YP and, among females who attempted to access contraceptives services, YPLYW reported significantly lower access than HIV-uninfected YP (aPR=0.82, 95% CI 0.71-0.94) (Table 1). Last, among YPLWH, 28% reported missing an HIV care appointment, 14% reported running out of their HIV medication, and 34% reported they were worried about running out of their medication since March 2020.

Conclusion:

Experiences living with HIV may shape concerns around COVID-19 infection among YP. YPLWH reported greater health-seeking behavior than HIV-uninfected YP and a significant proportion reported missing an appointment and running out of their HIV medication. Services should devise strategies to prevent interruptions in healthcare access among YP.
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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Collection: Databases of international organizations Database: EMBASE Language: English Journal: Topics in Antiviral Medicine Year: 2022 Document Type: Article