A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China
Abstract Introduction People living with HIV (PLHIV) relied on community-based organizations (CBOs) in accessing HIV care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. However, little is known about the impact of, and challenges faced by Chinese CBOs supporting PLHIV during lockdowns. Methods A...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2023-03-01
|
| Series: | BMC Health Services Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09271-4 |
| _version_ | 1797853941120106496 |
|---|---|
| author | Jennifer Z.H. Bouey Jing Han Yuxuan Liu Myriam Vuckovic Keren Zhu Kai Zhou Ye Su |
| author_facet | Jennifer Z.H. Bouey Jing Han Yuxuan Liu Myriam Vuckovic Keren Zhu Kai Zhou Ye Su |
| author_sort | Jennifer Z.H. Bouey |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction People living with HIV (PLHIV) relied on community-based organizations (CBOs) in accessing HIV care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. However, little is known about the impact of, and challenges faced by Chinese CBOs supporting PLHIV during lockdowns. Methods A survey and interview study was conducted among 29 CBOs serving PLHIV in China between November 10 and November 23, 2020. Participants were asked to complete a 20-minute online survey on their routine operations, organizational capacity building, service provided, and challenges during the pandemic. A focus group interview was conducted with CBOs after the survey to gather CBOs’ policy recommendations. Survey data analysis was conducted using STATA 17.0 while qualitative data was examined using thematic analysis. Results HIV-focused CBOs in China serve diverse clients including PLHIV, HIV high-risk groups, and the public. The scope of services provided is broad, ranging from HIV testing to peer support. All CBOs surveyed maintained their services during the pandemic, many by switching to online or hybrid mode. Many CBOs reported adding new clients and services, such as mailing medications. The top challenges faced by CBOs included service reduction due to staff shortage, lack of PPE for staff, and lack of operational funding during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. CBOs considered the ability to better network with other CBOs and other sectors (e.g., clinics, governments), a standard emergency response guideline, and ready strategies to help PLHIV build resilience to be critical for future emergency preparation. Conclusion Chinese CBOs serving vulnerable populations affected by HIV/AIDS are instrumental in building resilience in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they can play significant roles in providing uninterrupted services during emergencies by mobilizing resources, creating new services and operation methods, and utilizing existing networks. Chinese CBOs’ experiences, challenges, and their policy recommendations can inform policy makers on how to support future CBO capacity building to bridge service gaps during crises and reduce health inequalities in China and globally. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:58:56Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-ba7c8a4cd93049648c390086195f233e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6963 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-09T19:58:56Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Health Services Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-ba7c8a4cd93049648c390086195f233e2023-04-03T05:21:24ZengBMCBMC Health Services Research1472-69632023-03-0123111110.1186/s12913-023-09271-4A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in ChinaJennifer Z.H. Bouey0Jing Han1Yuxuan Liu2Myriam Vuckovic3Keren Zhu4Kai Zhou5Ye Su6Department of Global Health, School of Health, Georgetown UniversityDitan Infectious Disease HospitalDepartment of Global Health, School of Health, Georgetown UniversityDepartment of Global Health, School of Health, Georgetown UniversityRAND CorporationUNAIDS ChinaHome of Red RibbonAbstract Introduction People living with HIV (PLHIV) relied on community-based organizations (CBOs) in accessing HIV care and support during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. However, little is known about the impact of, and challenges faced by Chinese CBOs supporting PLHIV during lockdowns. Methods A survey and interview study was conducted among 29 CBOs serving PLHIV in China between November 10 and November 23, 2020. Participants were asked to complete a 20-minute online survey on their routine operations, organizational capacity building, service provided, and challenges during the pandemic. A focus group interview was conducted with CBOs after the survey to gather CBOs’ policy recommendations. Survey data analysis was conducted using STATA 17.0 while qualitative data was examined using thematic analysis. Results HIV-focused CBOs in China serve diverse clients including PLHIV, HIV high-risk groups, and the public. The scope of services provided is broad, ranging from HIV testing to peer support. All CBOs surveyed maintained their services during the pandemic, many by switching to online or hybrid mode. Many CBOs reported adding new clients and services, such as mailing medications. The top challenges faced by CBOs included service reduction due to staff shortage, lack of PPE for staff, and lack of operational funding during COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. CBOs considered the ability to better network with other CBOs and other sectors (e.g., clinics, governments), a standard emergency response guideline, and ready strategies to help PLHIV build resilience to be critical for future emergency preparation. Conclusion Chinese CBOs serving vulnerable populations affected by HIV/AIDS are instrumental in building resilience in their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, and they can play significant roles in providing uninterrupted services during emergencies by mobilizing resources, creating new services and operation methods, and utilizing existing networks. Chinese CBOs’ experiences, challenges, and their policy recommendations can inform policy makers on how to support future CBO capacity building to bridge service gaps during crises and reduce health inequalities in China and globally.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09271-4COVID-19HIV/AIDS careCommunity-based OrganizationsTelemedicineCommunity capacity building |
| spellingShingle | Jennifer Z.H. Bouey Jing Han Yuxuan Liu Myriam Vuckovic Keren Zhu Kai Zhou Ye Su A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China BMC Health Services Research COVID-19 HIV/AIDS care Community-based Organizations Telemedicine Community capacity building |
| title | A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China |
| title_full | A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China |
| title_fullStr | A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China |
| title_short | A case study of HIV/AIDS services from community-based organizations during COVID-19 lockdown in China |
| title_sort | case study of hiv aids services from community based organizations during covid 19 lockdown in china |
| topic | COVID-19 HIV/AIDS care Community-based Organizations Telemedicine Community capacity building |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-023-09271-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jenniferzhbouey acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT jinghan acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT yuxuanliu acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT myriamvuckovic acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT kerenzhu acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT kaizhou acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT yesu acasestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT jenniferzhbouey casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT jinghan casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT yuxuanliu casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT myriamvuckovic casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT kerenzhu casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT kaizhou casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina AT yesu casestudyofhivaidsservicesfromcommunitybasedorganizationsduringcovid19lockdowninchina |