Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey
Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV services in Taiwan. Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among people living with HIV (PLWH), individuals at risk of HIV infection (IAR), and service prescribers between 20th O...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118222000287 |
| _version_ | 1797995011417047040 |
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| author | Wang-Da Liu Hsiu-Yin Wang Sih-Cheng Du Chien-Ching Hung |
| author_facet | Wang-Da Liu Hsiu-Yin Wang Sih-Cheng Du Chien-Ching Hung |
| author_sort | Wang-Da Liu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV services in Taiwan. Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among people living with HIV (PLWH), individuals at risk of HIV infection (IAR), and service prescribers between 20th October and 30th November, 2020. Representatives from patient advocacy groups were interviewed. Results: In total, 66 PLWH, 104 IAR, and 32 prescribers from Taiwan completed the survey. Mild to moderate disruptions to HIV-related services (including medical consultation, HIV-related testing, and medications) were found by the survey, with IAR appearing more affected than PLWH. Nine (13.6%) PLWH and 31 (29.8%) IAR reported disruptions in hospital/clinic visits and two (3.0%) PLWH and 25 (24.0%) IAR reported decreased frequency of HIV testing. Similar observations were also made by four patient advocacy group representatives interviewed. Telehealth services were received by only limited proportions of PLWH and IAR who participated in the survey. Conclusion: HIV services in Taiwan were not severely affected by the initial wave of COVID-19, but notable disruptions were still observed in HIV screening and prevention services. Multi-pronged strategies, including telehealth services, are warranted to overcome new challenges in HIV care in the COVID-19 era. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:53:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-182936cc6e354c39b0052b4ee102e816 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1684-1182 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T09:53:43Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection |
| spelling | doaj.art-182936cc6e354c39b0052b4ee102e8162022-12-22T04:30:41ZengElsevierJournal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection1684-11822022-12-0155611351143Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online surveyWang-Da Liu0Hsiu-Yin Wang1Sih-Cheng Du2Chien-Ching Hung3Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Medicine, National Taiwan University Cancer Center, No. 57, Ln. 155, Sec. 3, Keelung Road, Taipei 106, TaiwanGilead Sciences Hong Kong Ltd. Taiwan Branch, 10F, No. 32-1 & 36-1, SongRen Road, Taipei 110, TaiwanTaiwan Tongzhi (LGBTQ+) Hotline Association, 12F, No. 70, Sec. 2, Roosevelt Road, Taipei 100, TaiwanDepartment of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital and National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, National Taiwan University College of Medicine, No. 1, Jen-Ai Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, No. 2, Yude Rd, North District, Taichung 404, Taiwan; China Medical University, No. 2, Yude Rd, North District, Taichung 404, Taiwan; Corresponding author. No. 7, Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 100, Taiwan.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the impact of the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV services in Taiwan. Methods: An online, cross-sectional survey was conducted among people living with HIV (PLWH), individuals at risk of HIV infection (IAR), and service prescribers between 20th October and 30th November, 2020. Representatives from patient advocacy groups were interviewed. Results: In total, 66 PLWH, 104 IAR, and 32 prescribers from Taiwan completed the survey. Mild to moderate disruptions to HIV-related services (including medical consultation, HIV-related testing, and medications) were found by the survey, with IAR appearing more affected than PLWH. Nine (13.6%) PLWH and 31 (29.8%) IAR reported disruptions in hospital/clinic visits and two (3.0%) PLWH and 25 (24.0%) IAR reported decreased frequency of HIV testing. Similar observations were also made by four patient advocacy group representatives interviewed. Telehealth services were received by only limited proportions of PLWH and IAR who participated in the survey. Conclusion: HIV services in Taiwan were not severely affected by the initial wave of COVID-19, but notable disruptions were still observed in HIV screening and prevention services. Multi-pronged strategies, including telehealth services, are warranted to overcome new challenges in HIV care in the COVID-19 era.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118222000287Antiretroviral therapyIndividuals at risk of HIVPatient advocacy groupPeople living with HIVPost-exposure prophylaxisPre-exposure prophylaxis |
| spellingShingle | Wang-Da Liu Hsiu-Yin Wang Sih-Cheng Du Chien-Ching Hung Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey Journal of Microbiology, Immunology and Infection Antiretroviral therapy Individuals at risk of HIV Patient advocacy group People living with HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis Pre-exposure prophylaxis |
| title | Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey |
| title_full | Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey |
| title_short | Impact of the initial wave of COVID-19 pandemic in Taiwan on local HIV services: Results from a cross-sectional online survey |
| title_sort | impact of the initial wave of covid 19 pandemic in taiwan on local hiv services results from a cross sectional online survey |
| topic | Antiretroviral therapy Individuals at risk of HIV Patient advocacy group People living with HIV Post-exposure prophylaxis Pre-exposure prophylaxis |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1684118222000287 |
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