People newly diagnosed with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus group study on the associated early biopsychosocial reactions

Ogueji, Ifeanyichukwu Anthony

doi:10.1080/15381501.2021.1955800

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 36 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…In our analysis, WLWH reported many commonalities during the COVID-19 pandemic that were related specifically to their HIV status. Many of the women in our study experienced disruptions to their HIV care, leading to fear of attending visits, cancelled appointments, or ART non-adherence, which has been seen in other studies of PLWH during the pandemic [2,16,51,[55][56][57][58][59]. WLWH also reported a high degree of perceived increased vulnerability to COVID-19, particularly at the beginning of the pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

“…PLWH, who are disproportionately impacted by mental health [9][10][11] and substance use disorders [12,13], may suffer increased psychosocial burdens as a result of the pandemic. Qualitative studies have demonstrated that PLWH have experienced perceived heightened vulnerability to COVID-19 throughout the pandemic [4,[14][15][16][17]. PLWH have also voiced concerns that having COVID-19 may lead to HIV status disclosure [4] and further stigmatization, particularly for Black/African American patients [4,15,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HIV-related experiences: disruptions to HIV care; perceived heightened vulnerability to COVID-19Disruptions to HIV care16 participants reported that the COVID-19 pandemic had disrupted their HIV care (e.g., appointment cancellations, loss of provider, or ART non-adherence). Some participants cited telehealth and prescription delivery as facilitators to retention in care or ART adherence and did not experience any notable changes related to their HIV care.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

“Even if I’m undetectable, I just feel like I would die”: a qualitative study to understand the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women living with HIV (WLWH) in Chicago, IL

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the health and well-being of people worldwide, yet few studies have qualitatively examined its cumulative effects on ciswomen living with HIV (WLWH). We aimed to explore how the pandemic has impacted WLWH, including challenges related to HIV care, employment, finances, and childcare. We also investigated how HIV status and different psychosocial stressors affected their mental health. Methods We performed 25 semi-structured qualitative interviews with WLWH regarding the ways in which COVID-19 impacted their social determinants of health and physical well-being during the pandemic. 19 WLWH who received care at the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM) and 6 women who received care at Howard Brown Health, a federally qualified health center (FQHC) in Chicago, were interviewed remotely from June 2020 to April 2021. All interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Interviews were thematically analyzed for commonalities regarding HIV-specific and general experiences of WLWH during the pandemic. Results The majority of participants reported COVID-19 impacted their HIV care, such as appointment cancellations and difficulties adhering to antiretroviral therapy. In addition to HIV care obstacles, almost all participants described perceived heightened vulnerability to or fear of COVID-19. The pandemic also affected the socioeconomic well-being of participants, with reported financial strains and employment disruptions. Some mothers took on additional childcare responsibilities, such as homeschooling. Increased mental health concerns and negative psychological effects from the social isolation associated with the pandemic were also experienced by most participants. Conclusions We gained invaluable insight into how WLWH were challenged by and adapted to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its destabilizing effects on their HIV care and mental health. Women described how they undertook additional childcare responsibilities during the pandemic and how their HIV status compounded their concerns (e.g., perceived heightened vulnerability to COVID-19). Strategies to better support WLWH in maintaining their overall health throughout the pandemic include childcare assistance, access to affordable mental health services, support groups, and education from HIV care providers. These findings have significant implications for examining future health crises through the perspective of potential gender inequalities.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 54%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

“Even if I’m undetectable, I just feel like I would die”: a qualitative study to understand the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women living with HIV (WLWH) in Chicago, IL

et al. 2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Sub-Saharan Africa is disproportionately affected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/ AIDS ) pandemic, with the prevalence of HIV among sexual and gender minorities rising (Jin et al, 2021 ; Mpondo et al, 2017 ; Ogueji, 2021 ). As a result, the majority of research on sexual and gender minorities in Africa has concentrated on HIV/AIDS (Djamond et al, 2014 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among people with minority gender and sexual identities in Zambia: health promotion and human rights implications

Mulavu

Menon

Mulubwa

et al. 2023

Health Psychology and Behavioral Medicine

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Sexual and gender minorities face high levels of stigma, discrimination, and violence. In many countries, they are often criminalized and are at risk of mental health challenges. In Zambia, little is known about the psychosocial challenges and coping strategies of sexual and gender minorities. This study sought to explore psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among sexual and gender minority populations in Lusaka, Zambia to inform mental health and human rights promotion for this population. Methods: The study used a qualitative phenomenological study design. Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 16 sexual and gender minority participants (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) and four key informants. The sexual minorities included four lesbian, five gay, and three bisexual participants while the gender minorities included two transgender men and two transgender women. Interviews with gender and sexual minorities were mostly focused on the lived experiences of participants, while those of key informants focused on their work with sexual and gender minorities. Snowball strategy was used to recruit participants, while purposive sampling was used to select key informants. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was carried out with the aid of Nvivo 12 software. Results: Psychosocial challenges included victimization in the form of threats and physical assault. Stigma and discrimination were experienced in different settings such as healthcare, the workplace, and school. Participants reported having experienced feelings of depression. Rejection from family members was experienced by those who revealed their sexual or gender minority status. Reported coping strategies included social support, self-concealment, listening to music, and substance use. Conclusion: This study suggests that sexual and gender minorities in Zambia experience various psychosocial challenges related to their sexuality and gender identity. To assist them cope better with the obstacles they experience, improved psychosocial counseling and mental health services are needed.

show abstract

“…Other studies reported that emotional distress caused by the pandemic affected adherence and retention, especially among newly diagnosed PLWH. [28][29][30] Long-term survivors, or individuals who have lived with HIV for several years, are at higher risk of multiple comorbidities 31,32 , more severe premature aging and cognitive dysfunction when living with HIV for longer than 10 yearsindependent of age in years. 27 Among those living with HIV for longer than 10 years, higher levels of HIV stigma, and social isolation 31,32 were reported, as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress, Support, and Length of Diagnosis Among Women Living with HIV/AIDS in the Southern USA, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Montgomerie¹,

Michel²,

Sanchez‐Covarrubias³

et al. 2023

HIV

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background: Health-related challenges caused and worsened by the global COVID-19 pandemic have proven broad and multifaceted, particularly for racial/ethnic minority women living with HIV (WLWH). The 2020 pandemic has affected the wellbeing and access to care for WLWH in Southeastern Florida, a region that experienced simultaneous high rates of COVID-19 and HIV. WLWH, over a short-or long-term period, likely utilize different coping mechanisms as they face these challenges. Methods: This analysis compared pandemic-related stress and support endorsed by participants attending an urban clinic in South Florida, from January through May 2021. Participants completed an adapted version of the Pandemic Stress Index (PSI). The items in the PSI assessed emotional distress, stigma, and support, and were dichotomized, as either "stress" or "support". Mann-Whitney U-test assessed differences in distributions of PSI scores (stress and support) comparing long-term survivors (≥10 years with an HIV diagnosis) to those more recently diagnosed (<10 years). Results:The cohort consisted of 63 WLWH, aged 21-71 (Mean = 42 years±12.95). The group of WLWH were almost evenly split, with 50.8% having been diagnosed in the last 10 years (short-term survivors). The high-stress group endorsed lower levels of support, compared to the low-stress group. There was a non-significant trend of higher stress scores for short-term survivors, compared to longterm survivors; and, higher support scores for long-term survivors, compared to short-term survivors. Conclusion:Results suggest a trend in long-term survivor WLWH endorsing lower stress and higher support; the contrary was found for their short-term survivor counterparts. Patterns in COVID-19 related stressors and maladaptive behaviors need further exploration to establish suitable interventions that address disparities within groups of WLWH.

show abstract

People newly diagnosed with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: A focus group study on the associated early biopsychosocial reactions

Cited by 4 publications

References 36 publications

“Even if I’m undetectable, I just feel like I would die”: a qualitative study to understand the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women living with HIV (WLWH) in Chicago, IL

“Even if I’m undetectable, I just feel like I would die”: a qualitative study to understand the psychological and socioeconomic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on women living with HIV (WLWH) in Chicago, IL

Psychosocial challenges and coping strategies among people with minority gender and sexual identities in Zambia: health promotion and human rights implications

Stress, Support, and Length of Diagnosis Among Women Living with HIV/AIDS in the Southern USA, During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About