Protecting the gains: analysis of HIV treatment and service delivery programme data and interventions implemented in 19 African countries during COVID‐19

• Published in: Journal of the International AIDS Society 2022-11, Vol.25 (11), p.e26033-n/a
• Main Authors: Bachanas, Pamela J., Chun, Helen M., Mehta, Neha, Aberle‐Grasse, John, Parris, KaeAnne, Sherlock, Michelle Williams, Lloyd, Spencer, Zeh, Clement, Makwepa, Daphne K., Kapanda, Max L., Dokubo, Emily Kainne, Bonono, Leonard, Balachandra, Shirish, Ehui, Eboi, Fonjungo, Peter, Nkoso, Aimé M., Mazibuko, Sikhathele, Okello, Velephi N., Tefera, Fana, Getachew, Mirtie, Katiku, Elizabeth M., Mulwa, Andrew, Asiimwe, Fred M., Tarumbiswa, Tapiwa F., Auld, Andrew F., Nyirenda, Rose, Dos Santos De Louvado, Alzira P., Gaspar, Irenio, Hong, Steven Y., Ashipala, Laimi, Obanubi, Christopher, Ikpeazu, Akudo, Musoni, Canisious, Yoboka, Emmanuel, Mthethwa, Simangele, Pinini, Zukiswa, Bunga, Sudhir, Rumunu, John, Magesa, Daniel J., Mutayoba, Beatrice, Nelson, Lisa J., Katureebe, Cordelia, Agolory, Simon, Mulenga, Lloyd B., Nyika, Ponesai, Mugurungi, Owen, Ellerbrock, Tedd, Mitruka, Kiren
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Africa - epidemiology; AIDS; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral agents; Child; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID-19 - prevention & control; differentiated care; Disease control; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - epidemiology; HIV Infections - prevention & control; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Pandemics; Pandemics - prevention & control; Population decline; Public health; retention; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; treatment; treatment interruption; Trends; viral suppression
• ISSN: 1758-2652; 1758-2652
• DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26033

Introduction The potential disruption in antiretroviral therapy (ART) services in Africa at the start of the COVID‐19 pandemic raised concern for increased morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV (PLHIV). We describe HIV treatment trends before and during the pandemic and interventions implemented to mitigate COVID‐19 impact among countries supported by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Methods We analysed quantitative and qualitative data reported by 10,387 PEPFAR‐CDC‐supported ART sites in 19 African countries between October 2019 and March 2021. Trends in PLHIV on ART, new ART initiations and treatment interruptions were assessed. Viral load coverage (testing of eligible PLHIV) and viral suppression were calculated at select time points. Qualitative data were analysed to summarize facility‐ and community‐based interventions implemented to mitigate COVID‐19. Results The total number of PLHIV on ART increased quarterly from October 2019 (n = 7,540,592) to March 2021 (n = 8,513,572). The adult population (≥15 years) on ART increased by 14.0% (7,005,959–7,983,793), while the paediatric population (