Table 4.
Self-reported changes to the access to HIV services among IAR.
| IAR (N = 104), n (%) | |
|---|---|
| Hospital/clinic visits | |
| Changes to the frequency of visits | |
| Increased | 8 (7.7) |
| Remained the same | 65 (62.5) |
| Decreased | 29 (27.9) |
| Have not visited any hospital/clinic | 2 (1.9) |
| HIV-related testing | |
| Changes to the access to routine HIV-related test | |
| Increased | 3 (2.9) |
| Remained the same | 76 (73.1) |
| Decreased | 25 (24.0) |
| Key reasons behind the decrease in testing frequency (IAR) | N = 25 |
| Not engaging or engaging less in high-risk behaviors | 15 (60.0) |
| No longer need to engage in high-risk behaviors | 4 (16.0) |
| Doctor/counsellor recommended less frequent testing | 0 (0) |
| Travel constraint | 1 (4.0) |
| Concerns of getting COVID-19 in hospitals/clinics | 16 (64.0) |
| Financial constraints | 0 (0) |
| Anonymous free testing at public health care | 0 (0) |
| centres/hospitals | |
| Other | 0 (0) |
| Medications | |
| Changes to the frequency of taking preventive medications | N = 38a |
| Increased | 5 (13.2) |
| Remained the same | 29 (76.3) |
| Decreased | 4 (10.5) |
| Stopped completely | 0 (0) |
| Whether concerned about long-term ability to access preventive medications | N = 38a |
| Concerned | 11 (29.0) |
| Neutral | 22 (57.9) |
| Not concerned | 5 (13.2) |
| Telehealth services | |
| Types of telehealth services received | |
| Phone consultation | 2 (1.9) |
| Video consultation | 5 (4.8) |
| Refill medications remotely | 15 (14.4) |
| None of the above | 86 (82.7) |
| Most preferred type of telehealth services in the future | |
| Phone consultation | 26 (25.0) |
| Video consultation | 52 (51.0) |
| Refill medications remotely | 25 (24.0) |
| Other | 0 (0) |
HIV, human immunodeficiency virus; IAR, individuals at risk; PrEP, pre-exposure prophylaxis.
a
Among IAR, 38 had been prescribed preventive medications prior to the pandemic.