Changes in Mental Health Among People with HIV During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Qualitative and Quantitative Perspectives.

People with HIV (PWH) are at risk for adverse mental health outcomes, which could be elevated during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study describes reasons for changes in mental health among PWH during the pandemic. Data come from closed- and open-ended questions about mental health changes from a follow-up to a cohort study on PWH in Florida during part of the COVID-19 pandemic (May 2020-March 2021). Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Among the total sample of 227 PWH (mean age 50.0, 49.7% men, 69.2% Black/African American, 14.1% Hispanic/Latino), 30.4% reported worsened mental health, 8.4% reported improved mental health, and 61.2% reported no change. The primary reasons for worsened mental health were concerns about COVID-19, social isolation, and anxiety/stress; reasons for improved mental health included increased focus on individual wellness. Nearly one-third of the sample experienced worsened mental health. These results provide support for increased mental health assessments in HIV treatment settings.

[Knowledge about COVID-19 and correct mask use in workers at a Peruvian university during the pandemic]. / Conocimiento sobre la COVID-19 y uso correcto de mascarilla en trabajadores de una universidad de Perú durante la pandemia: estudio transversal.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic led to massive use of personal protective equipment (PPE). However, evidence on the frequency of appropriate use is sparse. In this study, we evaluated the level of knowledge about COVID-19 and biosafety measures, and the frequency of correct use of masks in workers at a university in Lima, Peru. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a population of 109 workers of a private university who were physically onsite. We used a structured questionnaire to measure knowledge of COVID-19, together with use of and training in PPE. In addition, we explored factors associated with the correct use of masks and an adequate level of knowledge about COVID-19 and related biosafety measurSpain. Results were expressed as prevalence, using student's T-test and Pearson chi-square tests. RESULTS: We evaluated 82 workers, 35.4% of whom showed an adequate level of knowledge about COVID-19 and biosafety measurSpain. Younger participants and those who regularly washed their hands at work had an adequate level of knowledge, with 90.2% of these reporting correct use of their masks. Workers in general service areas or with a low level of education reported less frequent correct use of their mask compared to those who did not have these characteristics.  Conclusion: We found a low level of knowledge about COVID-19 and biosafety measures among the workers of a private university; a higher level of education was associated with a greater prevalence of correct mask use. Training programs by work areas are needed, to improve biosafety practices among workers.

Introducción: La pandemia por la COVID-19 llevó al uso masivo de equipos de protección individual (EPI). Sin embargo, la evidencia sobre la frecuencia de su uso adecuado es escasa. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el nivel de conocimiento sobre la COVID-19 y medidas de bioseguridad, y la frecuencia de uso correcto de mascarilla en los trabajadores de una universidad en Lima, Perú, durante la pandemia. Métodos: Estudio transversal realizado en los 109 trabajadores de una universidad privada que se encontraban en modalidad presencial entre junio y septiembre 2021. Se utilizó un cuestionario estructurado. Se estimaron las prevalencias del nivel de conocimiento y uso correcto de EPIs, y los factores asociados mediante la T student y Chi-2 de Pearson.  Resultados: Participaron en total 82 trabajadores (75%). El 35% mostró un adecuado nivel de conocimiento sobre la COVID-19 y medidas de bioseguridad. Los más jóvenes y los que se lavaban las manos en el trabajo mostraron un mayor conocimiento, refiriendo el 90% utilizar correctamente su mascarilla. Los trabajadores de áreas de servicios generales o con bajo nivel de educación refirieron un menor uso correcto de su mascarilla.  Conclusión: El nivel de conocimiento sobre la COVID-19 y las medidas de bioseguridad entre los trabajadores de una universidad privada fue bajo y el nivel de educación se mostró inversamente asociado al uso correcto de mascarilla. Es necesario implementar programas de capacitación por áreas de trabajo para mejorar las prácticas de bioseguridad en los trabajadorSpain.