JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Limited studies have explored the impact of the Omicron variant on the prevalence, hospitalization and associated factors among people living with HIV(PLWH), particularly in China. The adjustment of preventive policies since December 2022 in China presents an opportunity to evaluate the real-world factors influencing the prevalence and hospitalization of COVID-19 among PLWH.

Objective:

This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 prevalence, hospitalization rates, and associated factors among PLWH following the adjustment of preventive policies from December 2022 to February 2023 in eastern China.

Methods:

A population-based of study was conducted among PLWH in five cities in eastern China from December 2022 to February 2023. Demographic information, COVID-19 infection and related hospitalization, and HIV-specific characteristics were collected from existing databases and special investigation. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the prevalence and hospitalization rates of COVID-19.

Results:

During the Omicron variant epidemic period, the prevalence of COVID-19 among PLWH was found to be 67.16%, while the hospitalization rate was 0.72%. Factors such as age, CD4 cell count, HIV load, and transmission route were found to be associated with COVID-19 prevalence, while age, cancer, CD4 cell count, and vaccination were associated with COVID-19 hospitalization.

Conclusions:

After the ease of prevention and control measures in China, we observed a high prevalence of COVID-19 but a low hospitalization rate. Factors such as age, CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, and HIV transmission route were found to be associated with COVID-19 prevalence or hospitalization. Although the effectiveness of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 infection remained inconclusive, we did find that vaccination was effective in reducing the risk of hospitalization.