CTN 327: Impact of COVID-19 on persons with HIV in Canada

About The Study

CTN 327 will explore the effects of COVID-19 on people living with HIV or both HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV). The study will look at the experiences of people during the pandemic and their satisfaction with virtual care. It will also test whether participants have had COVID-19 (with or without symptoms) and catalogue the severity of the disease.

About The Disease

COVID-19 has had significant effects on marginalized communities, including people living with HIV. People living with HIV, or both HIV and HCV, have faced unique challenges and disruptions related to the pandemic. While these clinical, social, and economic effects have been studied in some populations, they have not been adequately studied in Canadians living with HIV.

Study Approach

CTN 327 is a sub-study of CTN 222 and CTN 314, and aims to enrol 1,000 participants from those pre-existing cohorts. Study participants will be asked to complete three visits over 18 months as part of the sub-study; these visits will coincide with the scheduled visits for the parent studies (CTN 222 or 314).

During these visits, participants will complete a questionnaire on routine HIV care, emotional and mental wellbeing, satisfaction with virtual care, and COVID-19 symptoms. For participants in CTN 314, an additional tube of blood will be drawn during their visits, while CTN 222 participants will not need to provide additional blood beyond what is regularly collected. This blood will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. Participants will receive their COVID-19 test results when they become available.