Impact of COVID-19 epidemic on AIDS prevention and control in Ningbo, Zhejiang

ObjectiveTo describe the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic for AIDS prevention and control work in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, and provide reference for the government and AIDS prevention and control departments to formulate response measures.

MethodsThe data of COVID-19 epidemic from January to March 2020 and the information of AIDS case reporting, HIV antibody testing, high-risk interventions, antiretroviral therapy (ART), health education cloud platform and other relevant special surveys in past 10 years in Ningbo were collected from related platforms. Simple correlation, linear regression and spatial clustering analysis were used to analysis changes in AIDS prevention and control.

ResultsFrom January to March 2020, the newly reported number of HIV/AIDS cases decreased by 36.36% compared with the same period in 2019. Voluntary counseling and testing, HIV testing in the entire population, and the number of people covered by high-risk interventions all declined significantly compared with the same period in 2019. The problems in obtaining medicines of 244 HIV/AIDS patients who were forced to stay in other provinces during January-March 2020 were solved. ART coverage increased by 6.03% compared with the same period in 2019.

ConclusionThe COVID-19 epidemic had a severe impact on local AIDS prevention and control, such as HIV testing and high-risk intervention. AIDS case number declined significantly from January to March 2020. Although the problems of receiving medicines for HIV/AIDS patients who stayed in other provinces due to the epidemic had been solved, HIV counseling or testing and AIDS high-risk behavior interventions in key populations should be strengthened.