Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on testing services for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the WHO European Region, March to August 2020

Abstract

We present preliminary results of a coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impact assessment on testing for HIV, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections in the WHO European Region. We analyse 98 responses from secondary care (n = 36), community testing sites (n = 52) and national level (n = 10). Compared to pre-COVID-19, 95% of respondents report decreased testing volumes during March–May and 58% during June–August 2020. Reasons for decreases and mitigation measures were analysed.

Assessing the Real-Time Impact of COVID-19 on TB and HIV Services: The Experience and Response from Selected Health Facilities in Nairobi, Kenya

“…Despite the pre-COVID-19 decline, HIV testing numbers in health facilities remained low during the 12 months of COVID-19. The reduction in numbers is similar to the reductions in HIV testing volumes that have been documented in Europe, the USA and other countries in Africa [36][37][38][39]. The decrease in HIV testing threatens access to diagnosis and treatment, resulting in excess HIV-related deaths and ongoing transmission of HIV in the community.…”

The silent epidemic of lymphogranuloma venereum inside the COVID-19 pandemic in Madrid, Spain, March 2020 to February 2021

“…This outcome was probably related to the Spanish government’s decision to minimise all healthcare activities that were not dedicated to COVID-19 in primary care centres, such as STI clinics. As other authors have reported, this led to a reduction in the number of consultations [ 6 ] and in testing volume [ 7 ], since only patients with LGV symptoms were able to access the centres. In fact, a similar drop has been reported for a wide range of communicable diseases [ 5 ].…”

“…This consequently provided more opportunities for transmission of CT infection, facilitating the spread of LGV. Moreover, a European study suggests that access to STI testing for vulnerable populations may have been reduced during the pandemic [ 7 ]. As expected, a reduction in the number of sexual partners [ 9 ] and sex frequency [ 10 ] has been reported; of note, an increase by 27.0% in the use of mobile sex apps during the strict lockdown was also detected [ 11 ].…”

Overview of SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults living with HIV

“…In the short term, there have been decreases in testing and diagnoses of new cases of HIV infection and other transmittable infections; and limitations in laboratory monitoring, clinical visits, and access to ART might have resulted in suboptimal care of HIV infection and other comorbidities in people living with HIV. 94 , 95 , 96 The real long-term consequences are not completely known, and time will be necessary for accurate evaluations. Infrastructure for HIV consultations has been adapted to the constraints of the pandemic in most institutions.…”

“…For more on the University of Liverpool's interaction checker see https://www.hivdruginteractions.org/checker Review comorbidities in people living with HIV. [94][95][96] The real long-term consequences are not completely known, and time will be necessary for accurate evaluations. Infrastructure for HIV consultations has been adapted to the constraints of the pandemic in most institutions.…”