O25 “COVID impacted my life in so many ways”: a qualitative exploration of experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic amongst people living with HIV of black ethnicities in the UK

Introduction

Black communities living with HIV in the UK, a diverse population who experience multiple and intersecting disadvantage, had a higher risk of death due to COVID-19 than white British people. However, there is a lack of qualitative data exploring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in this group.

Methods

In June- August 2022, we conducted five focus group discussions with people of black ethnicity living with HIV (n=28), and one with people of black ethnicity who did not have HIV (n=8). Participants were aged 21–72 years; 60% were female; 88% were black African. Topic guides were co-produced with community members, covering physical, social and psychological impacts of COVID-19. We analysed data thematically.

Results

We identified five overarching themes: (1) vulnerability to, and perceptions of heightened risk of COVID-19; (2) conflicting health messaging; (3) psychological impact of social isolation, anxiety about health, and family bereavement; (4) collective trauma of illness and death within the HIV and global Black communities (especially after the murder of George Floyd); and (5) financial hardship due to shielding and lockdown. These experiences varied by migration status, age, and gender.

Discussion

COVID-19 has had wide-ranging impacts on the physical, social and psychological well-being of people from black communities living with HIV in the UK, and are shaped by the intersection of gender, migration status, age, and HIV status. Continued holistic care from the HIV multidisciplinary team and voluntary sector is essential in mitigating some of these effects.