Investigation into the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for people living with HIV

Abstract

Background: People living with HIV (PLWH) report high levels of anxiety. This study assessed the prevalence of COVID-19-related anxiety in PLWH. Methods: Participants were recruited from two UK HIV clinics (01/03/2020 - 30/05/2022) and asked to complete the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale. The proportion with scores ≥9 (cut-off for dysfunctional pandemic-related anxiety) and ≥1 (reporting of any pandemic-related anxiety) were analysed. Results: 115 PLWH were included, predominantly identifying as male (83.5%, n = 96), white (58.3%, n = 67) and reporting post-secondary education (82.6%, n = 95), with a median age of 51 years (range 22–93). Median CAS score was 0, with 4.4% scoring ≥9 (n = 5). More women scored ≥9 than men (16.7% (n = 3) and 2.1% (n = 2) respectively). Black African (13.6%, n = 3) and Other Ethnic Minority PLWH (25%, n = 2) had a greater proportion of scores ≥9 than White/Asian PLWH (both 0%). SARS-CoV-2 exposure was associated with scores greater than 1 but not greater than 9. CAS score was not associated with lower CD4 (<350 cells/mm3), detectable HIV viral load (≥50 copies/ml), or a history of pre-pandemic anxiety. Conclusions: Pandemic-related anxiety was low, but we identified a sub-population reporting dysfunctional pandemic related anxiety. Future work should further investigate the psychological impact of the pandemic on this group.