Disparities in Telehealth Use in HIV Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Study Findings from South Carolina

Abstract

Background:

Telehealth was adopted to maintain HIV care continuity during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, its use was unequally distributed. This study examined variation in HIV care visit patterns and whether telehealth use was associated with viral suppression.

Methods:

Electronic health record (EHR) data from a large HIV clinic in South Carolina was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression to characterize variation in telehealth use, having a viral load (VL) test, and viral suppression in 2022.

Results:

EHR data from 2,375 people living with HIV (PWH) between March 2021 and March 2023 showed telehealth use among 4.8% of PWH. PWH who are 50+ years and non-Hispanic Black had lower odds of telehealth use (odds ratio [OR] 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI 0.40–0.86]; OR 0.58, 95% CI [0.37–0.92] respectively). Telehealth use was not associated with viral suppression and VL testing.

Conclusion:

Telehealth disparities in HIV care affected older and non-Hispanic Black PWH, requiring tailored strategies to promote telehealth among them.