Currently, 1.6 million people in Uganda are living with HIV, with most new infections occurring in adolescents. The COVID-19 pandemic also disproportionately affected adolescents, disrupting their access to HIV care. This study examined these interruptions using Bronfenbrenner’s Social Ecological Model, analyzing factors such as sex, financial status, education, family size and government policy.

A secondary analysis was conducted using data from a parent study of 154 adolescents (ages 15-20) receiving HIV treatment at Nsambya Home Care in Kampala. Between September and December 2022, 80 females and 74 males completed a COVID-19 impact questionnaire addressing healthcare disruptions, medical care concerns, distress and financial hardship. The average age was 17.9 years. Females were more likely than males to report interruptions in general care and in HIV care, though 95% of participants denied experiencing delays in care. However, 66% worried that the pandemic would impact their HIV care, with financial instability linked to difficulty in accessing HIV medication. The results of this study demonstrate that factors such as sex and financial status influence the extent to which COVID-19 affected HIV care in Uganda. Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on care, such as interruptions in medication therapy, can help healthcare providers better support adolescents living with HIV during public health crises.