The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on STI and HIV Services in the Netherlands According to Health Care Professionals

TL;DR

The study explores how the COVID-19 pandemic affected STI and HIV care in the Netherlands, focusing on challenges faced by vulnerable populations and the shift to online services.

Contribution

The study provides new insights into the pandemic's impact on STI/HIV care from healthcare professionals' perspectives, highlighting disparities and online care challenges.

Findings

Vulnerable populations, such as migrants and those with low digital literacy, faced greater barriers to STI/HIV care during the pandemic.

Professionals reported concerns about the quality and follow-up of online STI/HIV care, especially with private providers.

The pandemic may have worsened existing disparities in access to STI/HIV services.

Abstract

Surveillance data from the Netherlands show that STI/HIV testing decreased at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting barriers to access to STI/HIV care. However, the impact of the pandemic on STI/HIV care may be more complex, and key populations could be differentially affected. The aim of this study was to gain more insight into the impact of COVID-19 on STI/HIV care in the Netherlands from the perspective of STI/HIV care providers. We investigated whether professionals in STI/HIV care experienced changes compared to pre-COVID in access to STI/HIV care for priority populations, demand and provision of STI/HIV care, shifts to online STI/HIV counseling and care, and the quality assurance of STI/HIV care. An online survey was completed by 192 STI/HIV care professionals. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were held with 23 STI/HIV care professionals. According to participants, people in vulnerable circumstances, such as recent migrants and people with low health or digital literacy, may have had difficulties accessing STI/HIV care during the pandemic, especially during lockdowns and at public sexual health services. Hence, these may not have received the care they needed. Participants thought that COVID-19 measures may have compounded existing disparities. Furthermore, participants found that online care provision was not up to standard and were concerned about follow-up care for patients using private online providers of remote tests. It is important to explore how STI/HIV care for people in vulnerable circumstances can be ensured in future public health crises.

Figures