Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria

M.O. Folayan*, O. Ibigbami, B. Brown, M. El Tantawi, B. Uzochukwu, O.C. Ezechi, N.M. Aly, G.F. Abeldano, E. Ara, M.A. Ayanore, O.O. Ayoola, B.E. Osamika, P. Ellakany, B. Gaffar, I. Idigbe, A.O. Ishabiyi, M. Jafer, A.T.A. Khan, Z. Khalid, F.B. LawalJ. Lusher, N.P. Nzimande, B.O. Popoola, M.F.A. Quadri, M. Rashwan, M. Roque, A. Shamala, A.B. Al-Tammemi, M.A. Yousaf, R.A.A. Zuniga, J.C. Okeibunor, A.L. Nguyen

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

The aim of the study was to assess if there were significant differences in the adoption of COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors and experience of food insecurity by people living with and without HIV in Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study that recruited a convenience sample of 4471 (20.5% HIV positive) adults in Nigeria. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to test the associations between the explanatory variable (HIV positive and non-positive status) and the outcome variables-COVID-19 related behavior changes (physical distancing, isolation/quarantine, working remotely) and food insecurity (hungry but did not eat, cut the size of meals/skip meals) controlling for age, sex at birth, COVID-19 status, and medical status of respondents. Significantly fewer people living with HIV (PLWH) reported a positive COVID-19 test result; and had lower odds of practicing COVID-19 risk preventive behaviors. In comparison with those living without HIV, PLWH had higher odds of cutting meal sizes as a food security measure (AOR: 3.18; 95% CI 2.60-3.88) and lower odds of being hungry and not eating (AOR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.20-0.30). In conclusion, associations between HIV status, COVID-19 preventive behaviors and food security are highly complex and warrant further in-depth to unravel the incongruities identified.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)739-751
Number of pages13
JournalAids and Behavior
Volume26
Issue number3
Early online date13 Aug 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Mar 2022

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Food security
  • HIV
  • Pandemic
  • Health behavior
  • DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS
  • SOCIAL SUPPORT
  • HEALTH
  • PREVALENCE
  • RISK
  • TUBERCULOSIS
  • INDIVIDUALS
  • PROFILE
  • STRESS
  • WOMEN

Cite this