Table 1 Characteristics of participants, and COVID-19 pandemic health and support services, experiences and lifestyle changes (n = 63)
From: Disability and self-care living strategies among adults living with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic
Characteristics | Number (%) |
|---|---|
Median age (IQR) | 57 years (49, 65) |
Sex | |
Male | 53 (84%) |
Female | 10 (16%) |
Gender | |
Man | 53 (84%) |
Woman | 9 (14%) |
Non-binary | 1 (2%) |
Live alone | 39 (62%) |
Personal gross yearly income < $30,000 CAD | 33 (52%) |
Employment status | |
Working for pay | 18 (29%) |
Retired | 12 (19%) |
On disability | 18 (29%) |
Most common concurrent conditions (≥ 30%) | |
Mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety) | 24 (38%) |
Chronic pain (e.g., arthritis) | 21 (33%) |
Trouble sleeping (e.g., insomnia) | 22 (35%) |
Undetectable viral load (< 50 copies/mL)a | 61 (97%) |
Median number of years since HIV diagnosis (IQR) | 22 (11, 32) |
Overall self-reported health—very good or good | 42 (67%) |
Health status compared to previous year | |
Better now than one year ago | 19 (30%) |
About the same as one year ago | 25 (40%) |
Worse now than one year ago | 19 (30%) |
COVID-19 pandemic—health care services/supports | |
|---|---|
HIV care | |
Remote (telephone/online)b connect with HIV doctor or clinic during the pandemic | 45 (71%) |
Access to HIV medication impacted by pandemic | 10 (16%) |
Difficulties accessing healthcare | 25 (40%) |
Decreased health care services use during COVID | 23 (37%) |
COVID-19 pandemic—experiences and lifestyle changes | |
|---|---|
Working during COVID-19 | 16 (25%) |
Not working prior to pandemic (out of the 47 not working) | 29 (62%) |
Reduced wages or work hours | 22 (35%) |
Employment status changed since COVID-19 pandemic | 20 (32%) |
COVID-19 experiences | |
Getting support from friends, family, partners, etc | 33 (52%) |
Fear of getting COVID-19 | 47 (75%) |
Fear of giving COVID-19 to someone else | 35 (56%) |
Worrying about friends, family, partner, etc | 54 (86%) |
Frustration of boredom | 50 (79%) |
More anxiety | 47 (75%) |
More depression | 34 (54%) |
Changes to sleep patterns | 37 (59%) |
Alcohol use in past 30 days | 34 (54%) |
Cannabis use in past 30 days | 24 (38%) |
Lifestyle changes due to COVID-19 pandemic | |
Practicing social distancing | 60 (95%) |
Isolating/quarantining from others | 44 (70%) |
Avoiding going to gym or exercise class | 54 (86%) |
Following media coverage on COVID | 55 (87%) |
Changing travel plans | 44 (70%) |
Stocking up on food and supplies | 36 (57%) |
Exercising less (frequency or intensity) | 46 (73%) |
Increase (frequency and amount) in substance use | 14 (22%) |