Lessons from the field: a systematic review of global and continental prevalence and challenges of People Living with HIV (COVID-19)

ABSTRACTCOVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, accounts for 186 million infections and more than 4 million deaths globally. This systematic review concentrates on the epidemiological profiling of HIV/AIDS, along with the unique challenges posed by COVID-19 in delivering health services across different regions of the world. This review includes 16 studies and documents from various world regions that show the negative effects of the pandemic on HIV treatment and services. A reduction in medication compliance, missing appointments, and interruption of both clinical and non-clinical HIV-related services has been reported. Additional barriers to obtaining HIV care include fear of infection, lack of transportation and poverty. The review calls for formal agreements between governments, health systems and public health expert communities to make health systems more responsive to the needs of PLWH during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

• Epidemiology and Determinants of Health
  • Epidemiology
  • Determinants of Health
• Determinants of Health
  • Health services
  • Stigma/discrimination
• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
• Prevention, Engagement and Care Cascade
  • Engagement and Care Cascade
• Engagement and Care Cascade
  • Treatment
• Co-infections
  • Other
• Health Systems
  • Governance arrangements