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Impact of coronavirus pandemic and containment measures on HIV diagnosis

Gilles Darcis1, Dolores Vaira1, Michel Moutschen1,2

  • 1Infectious Diseases Department, Liège University Hospital, Liège, Belgium.

Epidemiology and Infection
|August 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic containment measures led to a significant decrease in new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnoses and testing in Liege, Belgium. This decline resulted from missed diagnoses and reduced high-risk behaviors during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Public Health
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated widespread containment measures globally.
  • These measures impacted various healthcare services, including routine diagnostics and screenings.
  • Understanding the effects on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) surveillance is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of COVID-19 containment measures on HIV diagnoses and testing rates.
  • To investigate the contributing factors to observed changes in HIV surveillance data.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of HIV diagnosis and screening data.
  • Comparison of data from the period before and during COVID-19 containment measures.
  • Correlation analysis with behavioral changes.

Main Results:

  • A radical decrease in new HIV diagnoses was observed.
  • A dramatic and unprecedented drop in HIV screening test numbers occurred.
  • Factors identified include missed diagnoses and reduced high-risk sexual behaviors.

Conclusions:

  • COVID-19 containment measures significantly disrupted HIV surveillance.
  • The pandemic led to both a reduction in testing and potentially undiagnosed infections.
  • Public health strategies need to address these disruptions to maintain HIV prevention and care.

Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemicHIV diagnosisHIV screening

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