Persistent disparities in COVID-19-associated impacts on HIV prevention and care among a global sample of sexual and gender minority individuals. Issue 6 (3rd June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Santos, Glenn-Milo; Hong, Chenglin; Wilson, Natalie; Nutor, Jerry John; Harris, Orlando; Garner, Alex; Holloway, Ian; Ayala, George; Howell, Sean
• Is Part Of: Global public health. Volume 17:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 827
• Page End: 842
• Publication Date: 2022-06-03
• Subjects: HIV -- COVID-19 -- Health disparities -- sexual and gender minority individuals -- economic impact; Public health -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1080/17441692.2022.2063362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-1692

Abstract

ABSTRACT: As COVID-19 continues to persist, there is a need to examine its impact among sexual and gender minority individuals, especially those with intersecting vulnerabilities. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with a global sample of sexual and gender minority individuals ( n = 21, 795) from October 25, 2020 to November 19, 2020, through a social networking app. We characterised the HIV prevention and HIV treatment impacts of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 mitigation response and examined whether subgroups of our study population are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. Many sexual and gender minority individuals reported interruptions to HIV prevention and HIV care and treatment services. These consequences were significantly greater among people living with HIV, racial/ethnic minorities, immigrants, individuals with a history of sex work, and socio-economically disadvantaged groups. These findings highlight the urgent need to mitigate the negative impacts of COVID-19 among sexual and gender minority individuals.