COVID-19 Related Social Distancing and Changes in Dietary Practices in People Living With HIV From São Paulo, Sp, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To investigate COVID-19 related social distancing (CRSD) by people living with HIV (PLWH), and changes in these persons' dietary practices. METHODS: This is a web-based survey (conducted from November 2020 to January 2021), which invited (via social media WhatsApp) PLWH registered at a University-based specialized outpatient clinic. With multiple-choice questions, the virtual questionnaire included sociodemographic, lifestyle, and COVID-19-related information, before and during CRSD. Dietary practices questions, adapted from a Brazilian epidemiological study, inquired about beans, vegetables, fruits and fruit juices, red and white meat, soft drinks, sweets, and salty snacks. Habits such as cooking, and home-delivered meals were also investigated. Data were analyzed by descriptive aspects, as well as Chi-square and Cochrane-Q association tests (with P-value < 0.05). RESULTS: The sample included 407 PLWH, 68.8% men, 50.7(±9.8) years old, 73.2% with a high educational level. Being employed was referred by 65.8%, from which 30.7% was working remotely; 45.4% mentioned reduction of their incomes during CRSD. The recommendation for CRSD was followed by 90.4% of the respondents, and 14.5% reported total isolation. Only 9.1% referred COVID-19 diagnostic with 1.2% hospitalizations. The CRSD was significantly associated with working remotely (P = 0.02), but not with age (P = 0.62), schooling (P = 0.61), or income (P = 0.46). Regarding food habits, the participants significantly reduced the intake of raw (P < 0.001) and cooked (P = 0.004) vegetables and red meat (P < 0.001). Otherwise, the intake of soft drinks (P = 0.001), sweets (P < 0.001), and salty snacks (P < 0.001) were significantly increased. Cooking at home increased 46.4%, and home-delivered meals did not change. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of PLWH followed the CRSD; COVID-19 diagnostic, as well as hospitalizations, were rare. However, the increased intake of unhealthy, ultra-processed foods and the reduced intake of vegetables showed disagreements with HIV-directed guidelines. As a suggestion, on-line messages on healthy eating maybe would prevent future health worsening of PLWH due to CRSD. FUNDING SOURCES: Sao Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP process 2018/25388–4)