The Ripple Effect of COVID-19: How Lockdown Regulations Shaped Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation Among People Living With HIV in Johannesburg.

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted global healthcare systems and significantly affected individuals living with HIV. In South Africa, where the HIV epidemic is prevalent, strict lockdown measures were introduced to curb COVID-19 transmission. This study explores the effects of these lockdown regulations on the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV-positive individuals in Johannesburg. Employing a quantitative retrospective chart review design, the research analyzed ART initiation trends in Soweto before, during, and after the lockdowns using medical records from selected clinics in Region D. Data were collected with a checklist, and descriptive analysis was performed. The findings revealed a 40% decrease in ART initiation at community health centers (CHCs) during the lockdowns, compared to a 20% decrease in clinics. Additionally, clinics maintained a patient retention rate of 75%, whereas CHCs saw only 55%. These results highlight significant disparities in healthcare access and outcomes during the pandemic, indicating that COVID-19 threatens to reverse progress in the global HIV response, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to sustain advancements in fighting HIV.