Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic Lockdown on Delivery of Antiretroviral Therapy to Persons Living with HIV Infection

Abstract

This study looked into the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on persons living with HIV infection in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. The objective was to understand the challenges faced by persons living with HIV infection in this region during this period of global health crisis. This cross-sectional study enrolled 100 persons living with HIV infection in Calabar, Southern Nigeria as respondents. The study participants were interviewed by two trained interviewers to fill up a pre-tested structured questionnaire on the impact of COVID-19
outbreak on persons living with HIV infection residing in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. Statistical tool applied was Chi-square analysis, while the level of significance was set at p≤0.05. All the study participants were aware of the need to adopt preventive measures
against COVID-19 infection, while none had been tested for COVID-19 infection as at the time of the study. The younger subjects favored the use of nose masks while older persons appeared to engage more in regular hand washing. Respect for lockdown varied
disproportionately across both gender and age groups. Adequate feeding, ease of movement and drug supply through hospital visitation were significantly influenced by both gender and age. Different frequencies of adherence to preventive measures were observed across gender and age. Ease of movement to access the clinics for antiretroviral drugs was a major challenge for persons living with HIV infection during the current COVID-19 pandemic.