Disparity in HIV Service Interruption in the Outbreak of COVID-19 in South Carolina
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Disparity in HIV Service Interruption in the Outbreak of COVID‑19 in South Carolina Shan Qiao1,2 · Zhenlong Li1,3 · Sharon Weissman1,4 · Xiaoming Li1,2 · Bankole Olatosi1,5 · Christal Davis6 · Ali B. Mansaray6
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract To examine HIV service interruptions during the COIVD-19 outbreak in South Carolina (SC) and identify geospatial and socioeconomic correlates of such interruptions, we collected qualitative, geospatial, and quantitative data from 27 Ryan White HIV clinics in SC in March, 2020. HIV service interruptions were categorized (none, minimal, partial, and complete interruption) and analyzed for geospatial heterogeneity. Nearly 56% of the HIV clinics were partially interrupted and 26% were completely closed. Geospatial heterogeneity of service interruption existed but did not exactly overlap with the geospatial pattern of COVID-19 outbreak. The percentage of uninsured in the service catchment areas was significantly correlated with HIV service interruption (F = 3.987, P = .02). This mixed-method study demonstrated the disparity of HIV service interruptions in the COVID-19 in SC and suggested a contribution of existing socioeconomic gaps to this disparity. These findings may inform the resources allocation and future strategies to respond to public health emergencies. Keywords COVID-19 · HIV service · South Carolina · Health disparity · Geospatial data
Introduction The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), is a rapidly evolving global public health crisis [1]. On March 11, 2020, the World Health * Shan Qiao [email protected] 1
The South Carolina SmartState Center of Healthcare Quality, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
2
Department of Health Promotion Education and Behavior, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
3
Department of Geography, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
4
Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
5
Department of Health Services Policy and Management, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA
6
South Carolina Department of Health and Environment Control, Columbia, SC, USA
Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic [2]. As of August 5, 2020, infection cases exceeded 18,614,177 across 216 countries and areas, with over 702,642 deaths [3]. These numbers continue to rise daily as the virus continues to spread globally. People living with HIV (PLWH) have been recognized as a medically and socially vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic [4]. HIV-related services have been unavoidably interrupted and impacted. On March 18, 2020, the CDC posted specific guideline to address PLWH’s concerns and questions related to their COVID-19 risk and prevention. On March 20, 2020, the NIH Office
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