Impact of the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV/AIDS Programming in Kenya: Evidence from Kibera Informal Settlement and COVID-19 Hotspot Counties

Samuel Muhula, Yvonne Opanga, Violet Oramisi, Catherine Ngugi, Caroline Ngunu, Jane Carter, Enock Marita, Joachim Osur and Peter Memiah
Additional contact information
Samuel Muhula: Monitoring Evaluation and Research Unit, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, 30125-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Yvonne Opanga: Monitoring Evaluation and Research Unit, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, 30125-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Violet Oramisi: Department of Strategic Health Programs, Division of National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, 19361-00202 Nairobi, Kenya
Catherine Ngugi: Department of Strategic Health Programs, Division of National AIDS and STIs Control Programme, 19361-00202 Nairobi, Kenya
Caroline Ngunu: Health Directorate, Nairobi Metropolitan Services, 49130 Nairobi, Kenya
Jane Carter: Clinical and Diagnostics Programme, Amref Health Africa Headquarters, 27691-00506 Nairobi, Kenya
Enock Marita: Monitoring Evaluation and Research Unit, Amref Health Africa in Kenya, 30125-00100 Nairobi, Kenya
Joachim Osur: Office of the Vice Chancellor, Amref International University, 27691-00506 Nairobi, Kenya
Peter Memiah: Division of Epidemiology and Prevention: Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-12

Abstract: The study sought to determine the impact of COVID-19 on HIV/AIDS programming in the Kibera informal settlement and COVID-19 hotspot counties during the first wave of the pandemic. The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase entailed the analysis of HIV care and treatment secondary data (2018–2020) from the Kenya Health Information System. In the second phase, a prospective cohort study was conducted among people living with HIV in the Kibera informal settlement. A total of 176 participants aged 18 years and above accessing HIV services at selected healthcare facilities in Kibera were randomly sampled from facility electronic medical records and followed up for three months. Socio-demographics and contact details were abstracted from the records and telephone interviews were conducted with consenting participants. Results from the retrospective review of HIV program data indicated a 56% ( p < 0.000, 95% CI: 31.3%–62.8%) reduction in uptake of HIV services. Clients starting antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduced significantly by 48% ( p < 0.001, 95% CI: 35.4%–77%) in hotspot counties. However, pre-exposure prophylaxis uptake increased significantly by 24% ( p < 0.019, 95% CI: 4%–49%). In Kibera, 14% reported missing medications at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic because of lack of food (38%) and government measures (11%), which affected ART access; 11% did not access health facilities due to fear of contracting COVID-19, government regulations and lack of personal protective equipment. Socioeconomic factors, food insecurity and government measures affected uptake of HIV/AIDS services; hence, the need for scaling up measures to increase access to HIV/AIDS services during the onset of pandemics.

Keywords: COVID-19; HIV/AIDS; antiretroviral therapy; food security; pre-exposure prophylaxis; lockdown measures; personal protective equipment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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