Impact of COVID-19 on income, prevention attitudes, and access to healthcare among male clients in a Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic.

BACKGROUND: Mobility restrictions and overloaded health services during the COVID-19 pandemic compromised services dedicated to the prevention and care of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). In this study, we present client's responses to standardized questionnaires applied during the COVID-19 pandemic period as part of the strategy to measure impacts on social and sexual vulnerability, access to STI prevention services, and access to STI care. METHODS: The questionnaires included variables on sociodemographics, behavior, risk perception, prevention attitudes, barriers to service-based HIV rapid test, reasons for taking an HIV self-test, and access to health services for STI diagnosis and treatment. We explored demographic variables associated with income reduction, reduced access to HIV/STI testing/treatment and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI. RESULTS: 847 participants responded to the study questionnaire between May 2020 and January 2021. Most were young, cisgender male, and 63% self-reported as men who have sex with men. Income reductions were reported by 50%, with 30% reporting a decline over 50% of total income. An increase in heavy episodic drinking (>5 doses) was reported by 18%; 7% reported more sexual partners and 6% reported using condoms less often. Difficulties in obtaining HIV tests, tests for other STI and treatment for STI were reported by 5%, 6% and 6%, respectively. Lower schooling was significantly associated with income reduction (p = 0.004) and with reduced access to HIV/STI testing or STI treatment (p = 0.024); employment status was associated with income reduction (p < 0.001) and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI (p = 0.027). Having access to an expedite test result, avoiding physical attendance in health units during the pandemic, and undertaking the test with privacy with a trusted person were reported as motivators for HIV self-test. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings are relevant to promote service improvements tailored to subgroups more likely to struggle with detrimental effects during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ansiedade e depressão em trabalhadores de saúde de UTI Covid-19 em um hospital de referência / Anxiety and depression in health workers in a COVID-19 ICU in a reference hospital

RESUMO Este estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de ansiedade e depressão entre trabalhadores de Unidades de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) que prestam atendimento a pacientes suspeitos ou confirmados para covid-19 em um hospital de referência em Pernambuco, Brasil. Foi realizado um estudo descritivo, quantitativo, de corte transversal com 140 trabalhadores da UTI de um hospital universitário na cidade de Recife, incluindo médicos, enfermeiros e técnicos de enfermagem. Os trabalhadores responderam a um questionário sociodemográfico e ocupacional, ao General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) e ao Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). A prevalência de ansiedade foi de 38,6%, sendo maior entre os técnicos de enfermagem (42,2%). A prevalência de depressão foi de 41,4%, mostrando-se maior entre médicos (46,4%). Trabalhadores jovens ou aqueles que não possuíam momentos de lazer apresentaram uma taxa maior de ansiedade e depressão. Também foi encontrada associação entre trabalhar nos dois turnos (diurno e noturno) e a presença de sintomas depressivos. Conclui-se que os profissionais de saúde da UTI estão em sofrimento, que pode ter se agravado devido à intensificação do trabalho causada pela pandemia, e que políticas de prevenção e cuidado à saúde mental se fazem necessárias nesse contexto.

ABSTRACT This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression among Intensive Care Unit (ICU) workers providing care to suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients in a referral hospital in Pernambuco, Brazil. A descriptive, quantitative, cross-sectional study was conducted with 140 ICU workers from the Oswaldo Cruz University Hospital, including physicians, nurses, and nursing technicians. The workers completed a sociodemographic and occupational questionnaire, the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The prevalence of anxiety was 38.6%, with a higher rate among nursing technicians (42.2%). The prevalence of depression was 41.4%, with a higher rate among physicians (46.4%). Younger workers or those who lacked leisure time had a higher rate of anxiety and depression. An association was also found between working both day and night shifts and the presence of depressive symptoms. It is concluded that ICU healthcare professionals are experiencing distress due to intensified work caused by the pandemic, highlighting the importance of mental health prevention and care policies.

Impact of COVID-19 on income, prevention attitudes, and access to healthcare among male clients in a Sexually Transmitted Infections clinic

ABSTRACT Background Mobility restrictions and overloaded health services during the COVID-19 pandemic compromised services dedicated to the prevention and care of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STI). In this study, we present client's responses to standardized questionnaires applied during the COVID-19 pandemic period as part of the strategy to measure impacts on social and sexual vulnerability, access to STI prevention services, and access to STI care. Methods: The questionnaires included variables on sociodemographics, behavior, risk perception, prevention attitudes, barriers to service-based HIV rapid test, reasons for taking an HIV self-test, and access to health services for STI diagnosis and treatment. We explored demographic variables associated with income reduction, reduced access to HIV/STI testing/treatment and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI. Results: 847 participants responded to the study questionnaire between May 2020 and January 2021. Most were young, cisgender male, and 63% self-reported as men who have sex with men. Income reductions were reported by 50%, with 30% reporting a decline over 50% of total income. An increase in heavy episodic drinking (>5 doses) was reported by 18%; 7% reported more sexual partners and 6% reported using condoms less often. Difficulties in obtaining HIV tests, tests for other STI and treatment for STI were reported by 5%, 6% and 6%, respectively. Lower schooling was significantly associated with income reduction (p = 0.004) and with reduced access to HIV/STI testing or STI treatment (p = 0.024); employment status was associated with income reduction (p < 0.001) and increased vulnerability to HIV/STI (p = 0.027). Having access to an expedite test result, avoiding physical attendance in health units during the pandemic, and undertaking the test with privacy with a trusted person were reported as motivators for HIV self-test. Conclusions: Our findings are relevant to promote service improvements tailored to subgroups more likely to struggle with detrimental effects during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.