COVID-19 Incidence, Risk Factors, Impact, and Related Stigma Among a Cohort of Persons With HIV in Washington, DC

Authors

Shannon K. Barth, Department of Epidemiology, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC.
Anne K. Monroe, Department of Epidemiology, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC.
Patricia Houston, Howard University Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Washington, DC.
Debra Benator, Division of Infectious Diseases, George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC.
Michael Horberg, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Research Institute, Washington, DC.
Amanda D. Castel, Department of Epidemiology, George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, Washington, DC.

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

8-15-2024

Journal

Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

Volume

96

Issue

5

DOI

10.1097/QAI.0000000000003447

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies on the incidence of COVID-19 among persons with HIV (PWHs) present varied results. Few studies have investigated the impact of COVID-19 infection on health and socioeconomic factors or COVID-19 stigma. We sought to measure the incidence and severity of COVID-19 infection among a cohort of PWHs, characterize associated risk factors and impact, and document perceptions of COVID-19-related stigma. METHODS: Data for this cross-sectional study come from the COVID-19 survey of participants in the DC Cohort longitudinal study from October 30, 2020, through December 31, 2022. Survey results were linked to electronic health records, including HIV laboratory test results and COVID test results. We conducted analyses comparing demographic, socioeconomic, HIV measures, and stigma among those with and without self-reported COVID-19. RESULTS: Of 1972 survey respondents, 17% self-reported COVID-19 infection, with the greatest incidence in the Omicron wave of the pandemic. We found statistically significant differences by age, employment status, essential worker status, education, and household income. Longer duration of HIV diagnosis was associated with greater incidence of COVID-19. PWHs who were overweight or obese had a greater incidence of COVID-19 compared with those who were not. Over 40% of PWHs with COVID-19 reported experiencing at least 1 form of COVID-19-related stigma. CONCLUSION: We observed a high incidence of COVID-19 infection among PWHs in DC. Furthermore, a substantial proportion of PWHs with COVID-19 reported experiencing COVID-19-related stigma. These findings add to the existing literature on COVID-19 coinfection among PWHs and highlight the need for awareness and support for those experiencing COVID-19 stigma.

APA Citation

Barth, Shannon K.; Monroe, Anne K.; Houston, Patricia; Benator, Debra; Horberg, Michael; and Castel, Amanda D., "COVID-19 Incidence, Risk Factors, Impact, and Related Stigma Among a Cohort of Persons With HIV in Washington, DC" (2024). GW Authored Works. Paper 5479.
https://hsrc.himmelfarb.gwu.edu/gwhpubs/5479

Department

Epidemiology