Prepandemic Predictors of Medication Adherence and HIV Viral Load During the First Year of COVID-19. (1st March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kalichman, Seth C.; Eaton, Lisa A.; Kalichman, Moira O.; Sam, Soya S.; Caliendo, Angela M.
• Is Part Of: Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes. Volume 92:Number 3(2023)
• Page Start: 242
• Page End: 249
• Publication Date: 2023-03-01
• Subjects: HIV continuum of care -- HIV treatment -- young people living with HIV -- COVID-19 -- COVID-19 impacts; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease); Periodicals; 616.9792005
• DOI: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000003129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1525-4135

Abstract

Abstract: Studies have reported significant immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the social relationships and health care of people living with HIV. This study followed a closed cohort of young people living with HIV over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were men and women (N = 140) age 36 years and younger who were living with HIV and had demonstrated suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy, unsuppressed HIV viral load, or active substance use in a run-in study. The results confirmed that participants continued to experience significant disruptions to their social relationships and health care over the course of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. There was evidence for sustained impacts on transportation, housing stability, and food security during the first year of COVID-19. Multivariable models showed that greater pre–COVID-19 social support predicted greater antiretroviral therapy adherence and greater HIV suppression (lower viral load) over the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Efforts to plan and prepare people living with HIV for future social crises, including future pandemics, should emphasize building and sustaining social support.