PLWHA Perspectives on Covid-19

By: Brandon M. Macsata, CEO, ADAP Advocacy Association

The ADAP Advocacy Association has dedicated significant resources over the last year to understanding the intersection between the global Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs). In fact, recently one in ten people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States indicated that they had tested positive for Covid-19, according to our online survey. 

The national survey, IMPLICATIONS OF CORONAVIRUS FOR PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS, was a project conducted in collaboration with the Community Access National Network (CANN), Community Education Group (CEG), HealthHIV, and the Legacy Health Endowment. The survey generated 390 response, of which 45 were disqualified for the respondent not being HIV-positive, and additional 14 were disqualified for not being residents of the United States. Thus for the purposes of the survey, n=331.

In a nutshell, 11.52% of the respondents tested positive for Covid-19. Whereas an open-access survey is not the same as a scientifically conducted poll, but the survey results do provide a glimpse into how Covid-19 is impacting our community. The results are as follows...

Have you tested positive for the Covid-19 virus? n=330

• 11.52% Yes (38)
• 88.48% No (292)

* one respondent didn't complete this question/survey 

Have you fully-recovered from Covid-19 or are you still lingering with Covid-19 health issues (Editor's Note: if you answered "No" to question 3 or question 4, then please skip this question)?

• 13.00% Yes (36)
• 07.94% No, still lingering (22)
• 79.06% N/A (219)

 * 40 respondents didn't complete this question/survey 

Have you been hospitalized for Covid-19?

• 01.60% Yes (5)
• 98.40% No (308)

* four respondents didn't complete this question/survey

Respondents who completed the survey came from thirty-seven states (37), plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. The breakdown includes survey responses from AL - 04, AK - 00, AZ - 05, AR - 00, CA - 69, CO - 04, CT - 06, DE - 00, FL - 16, GA - 04, HI - 02, ID - 01, IL - 18, IN - 00, IA - 00, KS - 02, KY - 01, LA - 01, ME - 01, MD - 11, MA - 04, MI - 03, MN - 01, MS - 00, MO - 01, MT - 00, NE - 01, NV - 01, NH - 00, NJ - 04, NM - 01, NY - 24, NC - 06, ND - 00, OH - 10, OK - 01, OR - 04, PA - 07, RI - 01, SC - 04, SD - 00, TN - 03, TX - 23, UT - 00, VT - 00, VA - 14, WA - 14, WV - 01, WI - 01, WY - 00, P.R. - 03, D.C. - 19.

A snapshot of the survey results is available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/stories/SM-9JVQK5TC/.

Disclaimer: Guest blogs do not necessarily reflect the views of the ADAP Advocacy Association, but rather they provide a neutral platform whereby the author serves to promote open, honest discussion about public health-related issues and updates.