Assessing the Disruption of Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Adults Living With HIV by Age in Essex County, NJ: A Cross-Sectional Study.
Kristen D Krause, Anita G Karr, Juhi Aggarwal and 6 others
PMID 39325076WHAT IT FOUND
In 133 adults living with HIV, age groups did not differ across COVID-19 outcomes.
Older adults were more likely to report missing HIV medication doses. Most could reach HIV care by telemedicine.
Key findings
01Across COVID-19 outcomes, there were no significant differences between age groups.
02Older participants were more likely to have the same or higher frequency of missing a dose of ART than younger participants.
03All but two participants could see or speak with an HIV health care provider via telemedicine since the beginning of the pandemic.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The study used a convenience sample from one Ryan White HIV/AIDS funded clinic serving a care-seeking population, so it may not represent all adults living with HIV. Participants had to be English proficient, so the study did not assess access for non-English-speaking patients. The survey was not validated in this population, and telehealth items were assessed separately without psychometric analysis. Telephone interviews may have introduced response bias, and people more comfortable with telehealth may have been more likely to take part. The study was cross-sectional, so it can show associations but not causation. The sample size and timing limited the ability to assess multilevel factors behind the null findings. The study did not assess whether participants accessed primary care in person because most appointments were occurring via telehealth at the time.
Declared interests
The authors report no real or perceived vested interests related to this article that could be construed as a conflict of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that older adults living with HIV had worse COVID-19 outcomes. The paper found no significant differences between age groups across COVID-19 outcomes. It also cannot show cause because it was a cross-sectional survey.