The impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular health behaviors in people living with HIV

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 35; no. 12; pp. 1911 - 1918
• Main Authors: Horvat Davey, Christine, Longenecker, Chris T., Brinza, Ellen, McCabe, Madeline, Hileman, Corrilynn O., Vedanthan, Rajesh, Bosworth, Hayden B., Webel, Allison
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 02.12.2023
• Subjects: Aged; cardiovascular; COVID-19; diet; Female; Health Behavior; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; physical activity; Surveys and Questionnaires; COVID-19; diet; HIV; cardiovascular; physical activity
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2175195

The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on cardiovascular health behaviors including diet, physical activity, medication adherence, and self-care among people living with HIV (PLWH) remains unknown. Using qualitative analyses, we examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiovascular health behaviors among PLWH. Twenty-four PLWH were enrolled in this multisite study from September to October 2020. Individuals participated in semi-structured telephone interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and coded by 4 independent coders. Codes were adjudicated and analyzed for common themes. Participants were, on average, 59.2 years old (+/−9.4), 75% African American (n = 18) and 71% male (n = 17). The pandemic altered cardiovascular disease health behaviors. PLWH changed diet based on stay-at-home orders and food access. Alterations in physical activity included transitioning from gym and group class exercise to home-based exercise. Antiretroviral adherence was maintained, even when other health behaviors wavered, suggesting resilience in PLWH that may be harnessed to maintain other health behaviors.