Evaluating the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Accessing HIV Services in South Africa: A Systematic Review

Claudia Goncalves Rebelo Jardim, Reza Zamani () and Mohammad Akrami ()
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Claudia Goncalves Rebelo Jardim: Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Reza Zamani: Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, Exeter EX1 2LU, UK
Mohammad Akrami: Department of Engineering, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QF, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-23

Abstract: Progress has been made towards controlling the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic in South Africa. However, the emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted access to health care. This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on accessing HIV services at a primary health care (PHC) level in South Africa. HIV services that have been significantly impacted are highlighted, and recommendations for future public health emergencies are made. Three databases were searched in January 2022. The studies included were those that reported on HIV services at a PHC level in South Africa. From the searches, 203 papers were identified, of which 34 full texts were screened. Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Overall, decreases in HIV testing, positive HIV tests, and initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were reported. Resilience of ART provision was reported, meaning that adherence to treatment was sustained throughout the pandemic. The findings showed that HIV services at private PHC facilities were unaffected, however, an overall decrease in HIV services at public PHC facilities was reported, excluding antenatal care which showed resilience.

Keywords: HIV services; COVID-19 pandemic; South Africa; primary health care; public health; ART; epidemiology; access; systematic review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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