Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Follow-Up of Patients Living with HIV in Chad: A Retrospective Monocentric Investigation

Abstract

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the clinical follow-up of people living with HIV (PLWH) remains poorly documented in Sahelian Africa. We conducted a monocentric retrospective investigation of the outcomes (loss to follow-up [LTFU], transferred, or dead) among a cohort of PLWH receiving antiretroviral treatment (ART) in N’djamena, Chad (December 2019–December 2022). The incidence of LTFU was found to be higher in 2020 than in 2022 (P > 10−4), with increases of incidence of LTFU in the first trimester of 2020 before identified severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS–CoV-2) infection cases in Chad. The all-cause mortality was low and did not appear to be influenced by SARS–CoV-2 infection waves. Our data reveal a concerning trend of significantly increased LTFU among PLWH receiving ART during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that it is crucial to provide accurate information to ensure the continuity of care for PLWH during a sanitary crisis in Sahelian Africa.