Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the UNAIDS Six 95% HIV Control Targets

Jiang, Tiande; Liu, Cuie; Zhang, Jing; Huang, Xiaojie; Xu, Junjie

doi:10.3389/fmed.2022.818054

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…Several observational studies have shown the major impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting measures on the provision of HIV services as well as on the evolution of the HIV epidemic [ 1 – 3 ]. Health promotion, prevention and support organisations tried to adapt their services to this exceptional situation of reduced physical contact and lock-down.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on the Belgian HIV epidemic: slowdown of HIV transmission and testing and adaptation of care

et al. 2022

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Background To gain insight into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures on the HIV epidemic and services, this study aims to describe HIV trends in 2020 and compare them with previous years. Methods Belgian national HIV surveillance data 2017–2020 were analysed for trends in HIV testing, HIV diagnoses, VL measurements, ART uptake and PrEP purchase. Descriptive statistics from 2020 are compared to annual averages from 2017 to 2019 (proportional difference, %). Results In 2020, 725 HIV infections were diagnosed in Belgium (− 21.5% compared to 2019). The decline was most pronounced during the first lockdown in April–May but also present in July–December. The number of HIV tests performed decreased by 17.6% in 2020, particularly in March–May and October–December (− 57.5% in April and -25.4% in November 2020 compared to monthly 2017–19 numbers). Diagnosis of acute HIV infections decreased by 47.1% in 2020 (n = 27) compared to 2019 (n = 51). Late HIV diagnoses decreased by 24.7% (95% CI [− 40.7%; -9.7%]) in 2020 compared to 2019. Of patients in care in 2019, 11.8% interrupted HIV care in 2020 compared to 9.1% yearly in the 3 previous years. The number of HIV patients with VL monitoring per month dropped in March–May 2020, whilst proportions of VL suppression and ART coverage remained above 86% and 98.5% respectively in 2020. PrEP purchases, number of purchasers and starters dropped during April–May 2020 (respectively − 45.7%, − 47.4%, − 77.9% in April compared to February 2020). Conclusions The significant decrease in HIV diagnoses in Belgium in 2020 coincided with the COVID-19 pandemic and following containment measures, particularly in April–May during the first lockdown. A slowdown of HIV transmission due to reduced HIV risk exposure is suggested by the halving in diagnosis of acute HIV infections in March-December 2020 compared to the previous year, and the adaptive decrease in PrEP use and PrEP initiation from April onwards. Despite a slight increase in HIV care interruptions, the indicators of quality of HIV care remained stable. Access to prevention, testing and care for all people living with HIV and at risk of acquiring HIV is a priority during and after times of pandemic.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of COVID-19 on the Belgian HIV epidemic: slowdown of HIV transmission and testing and adaptation of care

et al. 2022

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“…Recommendations are summarized in Box 6. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to and delivery of HIV care and services . An extended review is beyond the scope of this document, but several key points should be considered .…”

Section: Substance Use In Persons At Risk For and With Hivmentioning

confidence: 99%

Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults

Gandhi

Bedimo

Hoy

et al. 2023

JAMA

313

148

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ImportanceRecent advances in treatment and prevention of HIV warrant updated recommendations to guide optimal practice.ObjectiveBased on a critical evaluation of new data, to provide clinicians with recommendations on use of antiretroviral drugs for the treatment and prevention of HIV, laboratory monitoring, care of people aging with HIV, substance use disorder and HIV, and new challenges in people with HIV, including COVID-19 and monkeypox virus infection.Evidence ReviewA panel of volunteer expert physician scientists were appointed to update the 2020 consensus recommendations. Relevant evidence in the literature (PubMed and Embase searches, which initially yielded 7891 unique citations, of which 834 were considered relevant) and studies presented at peer-reviewed scientific conferences between January 2020 and October 2022 were considered.FindingsInitiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is recommended as soon as possible after diagnosis of HIV. Barriers to care should be addressed, including ensuring access to ART and adherence support. Integrase strand transfer inhibitor–containing regimens remain the mainstay of initial therapy. For people who have achieved viral suppression with a daily oral regimen, long-acting injectable therapy with cabotegravir plus rilpivirine given as infrequently as every 2 months is now an option. Weight gain and metabolic complications have been linked to certain antiretroviral medications; novel strategies to ameliorate these complications are needed. Management of comorbidities throughout the life span is increasingly important, because people with HIV are living longer and confronting the health challenges of aging. In addition, management of substance use disorder in people with HIV requires an evidence-based, integrated approach. Options for preexposure prophylaxis include oral medications (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate or tenofovir alafenamide plus emtricitabine) and, for the first time, a long-acting injectable agent, cabotegravir. Recent global health emergencies, like the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and monkeypox virus outbreak, continue to have a major effect on people with HIV and the delivery of services. To address these and other challenges, an equity-based approach is essential.Conclusions and RelevanceAdvances in treatment and prevention of HIV continue to improve outcomes, but challenges and opportunities remain.

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COVID-19 and disruptions in HIV care: Assessment and future directions

De La Torre Lima,

Jiménez García

2024

Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica

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Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the UNAIDS Six 95% HIV Control Targets

Cited by 5 publications

References 6 publications

Impact of COVID-19 on the Belgian HIV epidemic: slowdown of HIV transmission and testing and adaptation of care

Impact of COVID-19 on the Belgian HIV epidemic: slowdown of HIV transmission and testing and adaptation of care

Antiretroviral Drugs for Treatment and Prevention of HIV Infection in Adults

COVID-19 and disruptions in HIV care: Assessment and future directions

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