Learning from People with HIV: Their Insights are Critical to Our Response to the Intersecting COVID-19 and HIV Pandemics in Africa

Nearly 70% of the global population of people with HIV (PWH) live in sub-Saharan Africa, in countries that are likely to be severely impacted by the rising third wave of COVID-19. The first case of COVID-19 in Sub Saharan African was not reported until February 28, 2020 in Nigeria [1], but the number of confirmed cases is now growing exponentially (Fig. 1). To date, more than 150,000 cases and 4000 deaths from COVID-19 have been reported [2] in the region. Due to lack of testing infrastructure [3] and stigma around COVID-19 [4], the actual numbers are likely much larger. We do not know yet know if HIV infection is a biological risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection or severe COVID-19 disease [5]. Either way, it is readily apparent that COVID-19 and related containment measures are having a profound impact on the lives of PWH. Through conversations with PWH and HIV healthcare providers in East Africa, we have learned ways in which COVID-19 has begun to impact the lives and the care of PWH in the region. We have also seen PWH partnering with HIV healthcare providers to develop creative solutions to local challenges.

Fig. 1.

COVID-19 cases in Africa

HIV is a Disease of Poverty and Poverty Increases the Risk of Contracting and Dying of COVID-19

Over-crowding, poor sanitation and indoor air pollution are known risk factors for COVID-19 spread. Poverty also contributes to COVID-19 risk by presenting impossible tradeoffs between preventing disease and sustaining access to food and medicine. Many PWH in East Africa rely on crowded public transportation for work and procurement of basic amenities. Several PWH recently lamented that, although they understand the risk, they must ride public transportation every day to work so as to pay rent and other expenses. Although aware of the benefits, many PWH cannot afford to purchase protective gear, such as masks, which help to protect against the virus. In response, we have seen many HIV clinics developing public–private partnerships with neighborhood tailors to produce masks at low prices from available scraps of material. Moreover, physical distancing is a luxury that many in East Africa do not have the option of practicing. The median household size in the region is five people with few owning homes with multiple rooms [6]. In many of these homes, hand washing poses a challenge as they have limited to no access to running water, soap or sanitizer [7]. In response, we have seen HIV clinics and local businesses produce hand sanitizers using readily available materials such as locally brewed alcohol and curl activator hair gel.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Food Insecurity is Another Major Concern

Many PWH in East Africa depend on agricultural production and unskilled manual labor for survival [6]. Shelter-in-place orders reduce their ability to produce, sell and buy basic goods [8]. There have been reported cases of attempted suicide in our HIV clinics for this reason. COVID-19 could cause a stark increase in food insecurity that could kill many more people than the virus itself [9]. Concurrently, East Africa is experiencing a plague of desert locusts of a scale “unprecedented in modern times” [10] and floods that could bring an acute food shortage to over 25 million people [11]. In combination, these natural disasters are likely to affect PWH more than the general population, as PWH are more susceptible to food insecurity [12]. Food insecurity, in turn, is known to interfere with HIV care, leading to poor clinic attendance, poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, poor immunological and virologic responses, lower efficacy of ART, higher mortality and increased HIV transmission risk [13]. During the current COVID-19 crisis, for example, many PWH report being unable to take their ART on an empty stomach for fear that the drugs will make them sick.

HIV healthcare providers in Africa are partnering with PWH to develop individualized solutions to food insecurity. In some areas, national governments are providing food handouts. In other areas, local charities provide food. For some PWH, the best solution is to temporarily relocate to relatives who are in the process of harvesting their crops.

COVID-19 Generates Anxiety and Fatalism, Especially Among PWH

We are witnessing a concerning rise in feelings of helplessness among people with HIV. The proliferation of misinformation about the virus on social media feeds into these sentiments [14, 15]. Many PWH have access to smart phones and receive much of their news from WhatsApp or other mobile applications [16]. “If only I knew what to believe” complained several PWH. For example, rumors have spread that the thermal scanners used at entrances to facilities can cause brain cancer and that masks cause people to develop lifelong lung disease. There are also many messages promoting the use of herbal remedies for prevention of COVID-19 despite the fact that these herbs might adversely interact with ART [17]. The lack of understanding of coronavirus and its effects on HIV leads PWH to be more fearful, given what they know about their condition. This stress and sense of impending doom can lead to a fatalism that is reminiscent of the advent of the HIV epidemic. “If God wills it, I will die from the coronavirus,” we were told by more than one PWH. This same sentiment of hopelessness debilitated PWH and families for decades at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. HIV counselors and PWH have dealt with rumors and fatalism before, and they are using lessons learned form the past to address these new challenges. In some populations of patients, such as adolescents, counseling is more effective if conducted in groups. Some clinics are therefore planning group counseling and support sessions when the clinic is otherwise empty to allow for physical distancing and honest conversations.

COVID-19 Containment Measures Can Disrupt HIV Care

Many PWH are afraid to go to HIV clinics, fearing exposure to coronavirus. Many HIV clinics in Africa are situated within large public hospital campuses. Several PWH have informed us that they don’t want to go to their HIV clinic because it is located in a hospital where coronavirus patients are admitted. In addition, many hospitals require patients to bring their own masks to gain entry and some PWH have been denied entry into hospitals because they were not able to afford a mask. For these reasons, many PWH have opted to obtain ART at health facilities closer to home. In some cases, though, this has resulted in unintended disclosure of HIV status in their communities.

In some crowded HIV clinics, strict physical distancing may not be sustainable. In response, many East African HIV clinics have moved waiting areas outside to allow for sunlight and space (Fig. 2). HIV nurses together with PWH are figuring out ways in which transportation to the HIV clinic can be made safer. Many crowded areas can be avoided, for example, with proper planning and walking or biking instead of using public transportation. When safe travel to the HIV clinic is not possible, community healthcare workers trained to adhere to COVID-19 safety protocols can delivery ART to the homes of PWH.

Fig. 2.

Physical distancing in practice in an outside waiting area at an HIV clinic in East Africa

COVID-19 related interruptions in ART could have profound long term repercussions, setting us back after many years of progress [18]. Interrupted treatment increases the risk of treatment failure, opportunistic infections, virologic resistance, transmission of HIV from mothers to children, death and increases HIV transmission in the community [19].

Fortunately, HIV programs in sub-Saharan Africa have been at the forefront of improving efficiency of care delivery for years and they are now rising to the challenge of COVID-19 [20]. One solution that enhances efficiency of HIV care and reduces COVID-19 transmission risk is extension of ART prescription durations to 3 or more months, a strategy that was gaining traction long before the COVID-19 pandemic [21]. For countries that only allow three-month prescriptions of ART, doctors and nurses are sometimes providing two prescriptions for stable patients with suppressed viral loads so that they do not need to return for 6 months.

COVID-19 is new; but the fear, stigma, and poverty that determine health for much of the world, are not. We have much to learn from PWH about resilience and resourcefulness. As we plan the response to COVID-19 in sub-Saharan Africa, we should start by listening to PWH. Chances are they have faced similar challenges before and have solutions that are more likely to be successful in their context than global mandates designed for different settings, cultures, and resources.