Department of Infectious Diseases, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses. 2021 Apr;37(4):322-328. doi: 10.1089/AID.2021.0007. Epub 2021 Mar 17.
As of January 12, 2021, Australia has reported 28,634 COVID-19 cases. Most (20,411) cases are from the state of Victoria. In response to rising infections and community transmission in July 2020, on August 2nd, several restrictions were imposed for the following 111 days, including an 8pm curfew, a travel restriction to 5 km from home, and closure of nonessential services. It is unknown how this affected people living with HIV (PLHIV), who already experience disproportionate levels of mental health issues, comorbidity, and stigma. An online survey was designed with HIV community-based organizations to investigate the impact of the pandemic on Victorian PLHIV. Participants were recruited voluntarily both through social media and Infectious Diseases clinics at participating hospitals. There were 153 respondents. Most were male (77%), aged between 30 and 60 years (77%), and Australian-born (63%). Forty-three percent, 31%, and 25% reported negative impacts upon personal relationships, employment, and income, respectively. HIV care continued with 95% and 98% being able to access their HIV provider and antiretroviral therapy (ART), respectively. Telehealth was used by 92% and was largely well received. PLHIV reported worry about physical health (68%), mental health (66%), finances (50%),z and accommodation (25%). Fifty percent of participants reported weight gain and 27% increased alcohol intake. This study demonstrated the widespread negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on PLHIV in Victoria, although provision of HIV care and ART continued uninterrupted. This highlighted the importance of mental health support and social welfare programs during times of health care and societal strain.
截至 2021 年 1 月 12 日,澳大利亚已报告 28634 例 COVID-19 病例。大多数病例(20411 例)来自维多利亚州。为应对 2020 年 7 月感染人数上升和社区传播的情况,自 8 月 2 日起,在接下来的 111 天内实施了多项限制措施,包括晚上 8 点宵禁、离家 5 公里以内的旅行限制以及非必要服务关闭。目前尚不清楚这对艾滋病毒感染者(PLHIV)有何影响,因为他们已经面临不成比例的心理健康问题、合并症和耻辱感。一个由艾滋病毒社区组织设计的在线调查,目的是调查大流行对维多利亚州 PLHIV 的影响。参与者是通过社交媒体和参与医院的传染病诊所自愿招募的。共有 153 名受访者。他们大多数是男性(77%),年龄在 30 至 60 岁之间(77%),并且是澳大利亚本地人(63%)。分别有 43%、31%和 25%的人报告说,个人关系、就业和收入受到了负面影响。95%和 98%的人分别能够获得他们的 HIV 提供者和抗逆转录病毒治疗(ART)。92%的人使用了远程医疗,并且得到了广泛认可。PLHIV 报告称,他们担心身体健康(68%)、心理健康(66%)、财务状况(50%)和住宿(25%)。50%的参与者报告体重增加,27%的参与者报告饮酒量增加。本研究表明,COVID-19 大流行对维多利亚州 PLHIV 造成了广泛的负面影响,尽管 HIV 护理和 ART 仍在不间断地提供。这突显了在医疗保健和社会压力时期,心理健康支持和社会福利计划的重要性。