Impact of the COVID-19 Health Crisis on Key Populations at Higher Risk for, or Living With, HIV or Hepatitis C Virus and People Working With These Populations: Multicountry Community-Based Research Study Protocol (EPIC Program).

BACKGROUND: Information concerning the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on populations most affected by HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV; or key populations [KP]), and those working with these populations in community settings, is limited. Community-based organizations working in the field of HIV and viral hepatitis are well placed to identify and meet the new needs of KP owing to the health crisis. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to describe the development and implementation of an exploratory and descriptive multicountry, community-based research program, EPIC (Enquêtes Pour évaluer l'Impact de la crise sanitaire covid en milieu Communautaire), within an international network of community-based organizations involved in the response to HIV and viral hepatitis. The EPIC program aimed to study the impact of the COVID-19 health crisis on KP or people living with HIV or HCV and people working with these populations at the community level (community health workers [CHWs]) and to identify the key innovations and adaptations in HIV and HCV services. METHODS: A general protocol and study documents were developed and shared within the Coalition PLUS network. The protocol had a built-in flexibility that allowed participating organizations to adapt the study to local needs in terms of the target population and specific themes of interest. Data were collected using surveys or interviews. RESULTS: From July 2020 to May 2022, a total of 79 organizations participated in the EPIC program. Across 32 countries, 118 studies were conducted: 66 quantitative (n=12,060 among KP or people living with HIV or people living with HCV and n=811 among CHWs) and 52 qualitative (n=766 among KP or people living with HIV or people living with HCV and n=136 among CHWs). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the EPIC program will provide data to describe the impact of the health crisis on KP and CHWs and identify their emerging needs. Documentation of innovative solutions that were put into place in this context may help improve the provision of services after COVID-19 and for future health crises. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/45204.

La recherche communautaire en temps de pandémie : retour sur l'étude multi-pays EPIC.

In 2020, the COVID-19 health crisis affected all regions of the world, not sparing people already vulnerable to other viral epidemics such as HIV or HCV and/or those in precarious or socially marginalized situations. This is particularly the case for drug users or sex workers.Coalition PLUS, a network of associations fighting against HIV and viral hepatitis which defends and promotes the community-based approach, and its partners, have set up a multi-country community-based research project aimed at documenting the impact of the health crisis on the fight against HIV and viral hepatitis (key populations and community workers/activists), as well as the community responses put in place (EPIC survey).The objective of this paper is to reflect on the implementation of this community-based research study during the COVID-19 health crisis, and in particular the unforeseen difficulties to which the community-based research process had to confront and adapt. The goal is to draw lessons on what worked (and what did not work) in order to capitalize on community-based research practices during this pandemic and subsequently, facilitate the implementation of new research projects in similar contexts.

Assessment of mental health outcomes and associated factors among workers in community-based HIV care centers in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak in Mali.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Mali, the non-governmental association (NGO) ARCAD Santé PLUS launched the CovidPrev program in response to the COVID-19 outbreak to ensure continuity of HIV care-related activities. This study aimed to identify individual and structural factors associated with mental health disorders (MHD) in the NGO's healthcare workers (HCW) in the early stage of the outbreak. METHODS: Data were collected between April 6 and 11, 2020 for 135 HCW in ARCAD Santé PLUS's 18 community-based HIV care centers. Outcomes corresponded to the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and ISI instruments for depression, anxiety and insomnia, respectively. A general mixture model with a negative binomial distribution was implemented. RESULTS: Most HCW were men (60.7%) and median age was 40 years IQR[33-46]. Symptoms of depression, anxiety and insomnia were declared by 71.9, 73.3, and 77% participants, respectively. Women were at greater risk of MHD. A lack of personal protection equipment and human resources, especially nurses, was associated with a high risk of MHD. CONCLUSIONS: Health policy must place non-front line HCW, including those in NGOs, at the core of the healthcare system response to the COVID-19 outbreak, as they ensure continuity of care for many diseases including HIV. The efficacy of public health strategies depends on the capacity of HCW to fully with and competently perform their duties.

The COVID-19 response must integrate people living with HIV needs in Sub-Saharan Africa: the case of Mali.

The first COVID-19 cases in Mali were reported almost 1 month after the first case in the African continent. However, the outbreak continues to spread faster there than in other countries which, along with Mali, successfully tackled the 2014 Ebola outbreak in Africa. Given this context, specific actions targeting people living with HIV (PLWH) are needed to reinforce prevention. Community-based involvement is crucial to ensure continuity of care and treatment for PLWH. Furthermore, the health of frontline healthcare workers must take priority in any actions taken. The long-established trustful relationship between NGOs and PLWH in Mali is indispensable to disseminate key messages about COVID-19.

Empowering Malian women living with HIV regarding serostatus disclosure management: Short-term effects of a community-based intervention.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the short-term effects of Gundo-So-a program aimed at empowering Malian women living with HIV (WLHIV) regarding serostatus disclosure management. METHODS: A pre-experimental study with two measures (one week before and four weeks after Gundo-So) was carried out. A 35-item questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of 210 WLHIV. Six outcomes were considered: ability to decide whether or not to disclose HIV status, self-efficacy to keep HIV status a secret, self-efficacy to disclose HIV status, feeling crushed by the weight of secrecy, perceived physical health, and perceived psychological health. For each outcome, temporal changes associated with the intervention were assessed using linear regressions with random intercepts. RESULTS: Statistically significant change was observed for all six outcomes between the pre- and post-intervention measures. Furthermore, several variables were associated with the baseline levels of the outcomes and the intervention effect. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Gundo-So empowers Malian WLHIV with regard to serostatus disclosure management, thus improving their perceived physical and psychological health. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: These results highlight the need for programs to empower WLHIV regarding serostatus disclosure, so that WLHIV can make free and informed decisions regarding serostatus disclosure.