Abstract
BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is potentially severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Along with the direct health threats of COVID-19, there are disruptions to social relationships and health services resulting from mitigation efforts instituted by public health authorities. This study examined the relationship between trust in the government and trust in COVID-19 health information from the US CDC, state health departments, and social media on the experience of COVID-19 social and health services-related disruptions.MethodsPeople living with HIV (N = 459) recruited through social media advertisements and chain referrals completed confidential surveys delivered through an online platform.ResultsParticipants experienced high-levels of disruptions to social relationships and health services attributable to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. We also observed high-rates of inaccurate information and low-levels of trust in government and sources of COVID-19 information. Greater disruptions to social relationships were predicted by more concern about oneself and others contracting COVID-19, whereas disruptions to health services were predicted by greater concern for oneself contracting COVID-19, greater general medical mistrust, and less trust in information from the CDC.ConclusionsFindings have implications for the necessity of rebuilding public trust in credible sources of health information and stepping up efforts to counter sources of inaccurate information.
Highlights
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is potentially severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, including people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
We examined relationships among COVID-19related trust in the government’s response to COVID19, trust in COVID-19 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), state health departments, and social media with disruptions to social relationships and health services
We grouped participants using a median of COVID-19 disruptions, including social relationships and health services disruptions
Summary
SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) is potentially severe for individuals with compromised immune systems, including people living with HIV. Along with the direct health threats of COVID-19, there are disruptions to social relationships and health services resulting from mitigation efforts instituted by public health authorities. Subsequent research has shown that measures taken to mitigate the spread of SARS-CoV-2 did disrupt health services for some people living with HIV by impeding access to medications and having to reschedule health service appointments [14, 15]. In addition to disruptions in health services, efforts to contain COVID-19 have adverse impacts on social relationships [16, 17], potentially increasing isolation, stress, and depression [16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
