Impact of SARS-COV-2 pandemic on adolescents living with HIV in Lima, Peru

• Main Authors: Renato A. Errea, Milagros Wong, Liz Senador, Alicia Ramos, Karen Ramos, Jerome T. Galea, Leonid Lecca, Hugo Sánchez, Carlos Benites, Molly F. Franke
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Instituto Nacional de Salud 2021-03-01
• Series: Revista Peruana de Medicina Experimental y Salud Pública
• Subjects: vih; adolescente; sars-cov-2; covid-19; impactos en la salud; accesibilidad a los servicios de salud; salud mental
• Online Access: https://rpmesp.ins.gob.pe/index.php/rpmesp/article/view/6296

Adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) have lower rates of virologic suppression and higher rates of immunologic decline compared to their older counterparts, potentially placing them at high-risk for developing severe SARS-CoV-2 disease. ALWH who are transitioning to adult care face additional challenges to remaining in care and adhering to treatment. In this special section we report the experiences of ALWH in the process of transitioning to adult HIV services during the COVID-19 pandemic. In first place, the government-mandated stay-at-home order has substantially limited access to full HIV care by restricting public transportation, HIV medication stock-outs, and the suspension of routine medical and laboratory appointments. In addition, financial hardship, uncertainty about their future plans, emotional stressors, lifestyle disruptions, and concerns of involuntary disclosure have further challenged continuity in care for this adolescent population.