Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the consumption of antiretrovirals and HIV/AIDS prevention indicators at the Treichville University Hospital (Ivory Coast)

Objective: To understand the impact of Covid-19 on the prevention and consumption of antiretroviral drugs at Treichville University Hospital. Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study with a descriptive, multicenter aim, carried out in six screening and treatment departments for HIV patients at the Treichville University Hospital. Monthly order reports from January 2019 to December 2021 from six services were used to collect data on screening and antiretroviral treatment. After a univariate analysis, an Anova made it possible to carry out a comparison of several variables between the study periods. Results: In total, a decrease of 40 to 55% (p>0.05) in the consumption of antiretrovirals was recorded compared to 2019. The antiretrovirals affected more specifically were tenofovir 300mg, lamivudine 150 mg, abacavir / adult lamivudine, lopiritonavir and the tenofovir / adult lamivudine combination (p<0.05). Therapeutic protocols and prevention data varied between 2019 and 2021 with a drop in the prescription of dolutegravir to the profile of efavirenz and a drop of 17.5% of individuals screened in 2020. Conclusion: The Covid-19 health crisis has led to a drop in the frequency of HIV testing and a non-significant effect on the consumption of antiretrovirals essential for the management of the disease. Keywords: Covid-19; Antiretrovirals; Prevention; HIV