Vol. 42 No. 2 (2025): April (Next Issue)
Original Article

Impact of COVID-19 and access to treatment in people living with HIV in Chile.

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  • Cristian Lisboa Donoso,
  • Valeria Stuardo,
  • Víctor Hugo Robles,
  • Nicolás Lorente,
  • Evelyn Cortés,
  • Víctor Parra,
  • Guillermo Sagredo,
  • Daniela Rojas
Cristian Lisboa Donoso
Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile
Valeria Stuardo
Escuela de Salud Pública, Universidad de Chile. Instituto de Salud Pública, Universidad Andrés Bello, Chile.
Víctor Hugo Robles
Bio
Nicolás Lorente
Laboratorio de investigación comunitario, Coalition PLUS, Pantin, Francia. Departamento de Salud, Generalidad de Cataluña, Centro de Estudios Epidemiológicos sobre las Infecciones de Transmisión Sexual y Sida de Cataluña (CEEISCAT), Badalona, España. Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España.
Evelyn Cortés
Centro Cultural Crealuz, Antofagasta, Chile.
Víctor Parra
Fundación Salud, Vida y Acción Social - Savia, Santiago, Chile.
Guillermo Sagredo
Agrupación de Jóvenes y Estudiantes que viven con VIH - JEVHI, Santiago, Chile.
Daniela Rojas
Laboratorio de investigación comunitario, Coalition PLUS, Pantin, Francia.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4067/s0716-10182025000200117

Published 2025-03-07

Keywords

How to Cite

1.
Lisboa Donoso C, Stuardo V, Robles VH, Lorente N, Cortés E, Parra V, Sagredo G, Rojas D. Impact of COVID-19 and access to treatment in people living with HIV in Chile. Rev. Chilena. Infectol. [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 7 [cited 2025 Nov. 25];42(2). Available from: https://revinf.cl/index.php/revinf/article/view/2336

Copyright (c) 2025 Cristian Lisboa Donoso, Valeria Stuardo, Víctor Hugo Robles, Nicolás Lorente, Evelyn Cortés, Víctor Parra, Guillermo Sagredo, Daniela Rojas

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 crisis revealed inequalities that negatively impacted access and control of HIV treatment. Aim: To characterize the impact of COVID-19 on people living with HIV in Chile, including aspects related to sexual health and vaccination, and identifying aspects associated with the difficulty of accessing antiretroviral treatment (ART). Material and Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study based on the “Survey to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 in community settings – EPIC” in Chile. Results: 97.2% of people were on ART, and 23.1% had difficulty accessing treatment. A much worse quality of life was reported (18%), with a higher proportion among those who had difficulty accessing ART (35.7% vs 12.6%). Also, difficulty in accessing chronic disease control (30.9%), STIs diagnosis (25.5%) and mental health (57.8%). 59% had to reveal their seropositivity to be vaccinated. Discussion: Access solutions were implemented through multi-month therapy, reduced follow-ups, telemedicine, and consultations with community workers. Difficulty accessing ART was associated with poorer quality of life and disclosure of seropositivity. Looking to the future, ensuring the continuity of ART and the confidentiality of the diagnosis should be a priority.

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