Interruptions in HIV Prevention and Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adults in the United States

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Citation

Poteat, Tonia; Wirtz, Andrea L.; Adams, Dee; Linton, Sabriya L.; Gutierrez, Carmen M.; Brown, Carter; Miller, Marissa; Rich, Ashleigh J.; Williams, Jennifer; & Nguyen, Trang Q., et al. (2023). Interruptions in HIV Prevention and Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study of Transgender and Gender Nonbinary Adults in the United States. Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, 93(3), 181-186. PMCID: PMC10272025

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Transgender and gender non-binary (TNB) people have been disproportionately impacted by HIV and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the prevalence of HIV prevention and treatment (HPT) interruptions during the pandemic and identified factors associated with these interruptions.
SETTING: Data were drawn from LITE Connect, a U.S.-based, nationwide, online, self-administered survey designed to examine the experiences of TNB adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sample of 2,134 participants were recruited between June 14, 2021 and May 1, 2022.
METHODS: The analytic sample was restricted to participants taking antiretroviral medications to prevent or treat HIV prior to the onset of the pandemic (n=153). We calculated descriptive statistics as well as Pearson chi-square bivariate tests and multivariable models to identify factors associated with HPT interruptions during the pandemic.
RESULTS: 39% of participants experienced an HPT interruption. We found a lower odds of HPT interruptions among participants living with HIV [aOR 0.45; 95%CI: 0.22, 0.92; p=0.02] and essential workers [aOR 0.49; 95%CI: 0.23, 1.0; p=0.06], and higher odds among people with chronic mental health conditions [aOR 2.6; 95%CI: 1.1, 6.2; p=0.03]. When gender and education were included, we found a lower odds of interruptions among people with higher eduction. Confidence intervals widened, but the magnitude and direction of effects did not change for the other variables.
CONCLUSION: Focused strategies to address longstanding psychosocial and structural inequities are needed to mitigate HPT treatment interruptions in TNB people and prevent similar challenges during future pandemics.

URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/QAI.0000000000003185

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year Published

2023

Journal Title

Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Author(s)

Poteat, Tonia
Wirtz, Andrea L.
Adams, Dee
Linton, Sabriya L.
Gutierrez, Carmen M.
Brown, Carter
Miller, Marissa
Rich, Ashleigh J.
Williams, Jennifer
Nguyen, Trang Q.
Reisner, Sari L.

Article Type

Brief Report

PMCID

PMC10272025

Data Set/Study

Leading Innovation for Transgender Women's Health and Empowerment (LITE) Study

Continent/Country

United States of America

State

Nonspecific

Sex/Gender

Gender Non-Binary
Transgender Men
Transgender Women

ORCiD

Poteat - 0000-0001-6541-3787