Published in:
01-03-2022 | Human Immunodeficiency Virus | Original Paper
Differences in COVID-19 Preventive Behavior and Food Insecurity by HIV Status in Nigeria
Authors:
Morenike Oluwatoyin Folayan, Olanrewaju Ibigbami, Brandon Brown, Maha El Tantawi, Benjamin Uzochukwu, Oliver C. Ezechi, Nourhan M. Aly, Giuliana Florencia Abeldaño, Eshrat Ara, Martin Amogre Ayanore, Oluwagbemiga O. Ayoola, Bamidele Emmanuel Osamika, Passent Ellakany, Balgis Gaffar, Ifeoma Idigbe, Anthonia Omotola Ishabiyi, Mohammed Jafer, Abeedha Tu-Allah Khan, Zumama Khalid, Folake Barakat Lawal, Joanne Lusher, Ntombifuthi P. Nzimande, Bamidele Olubukola Popoola, Mir Faeq Ali Quadri, Maher Rashwan, Mark Roque, Anas Shamala, Ala’a B. Al-Tammemi, Muhammad Abrar Yousaf, Roberto Ariel Abeldaño Zuñiga, Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor, Annie Lu Nguyen
Published in:
AIDS and Behavior
|
Issue 3/2022
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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.