LETTER TO THE EDITOR FOR COMMENTS ON RECENT ARTICLES
Effectiveness of telehealth in preventing coronavirus disease in patients with HIV
 
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1
Health System Research Unit, Health Center of Urmia, Urmia University of Medical sciences, Urmia, Iran
 
2
Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Jiroft University of Medical Sciences, Jiroft, Iran
 
 
Submission date: 2021-01-02
 
 
Acceptance date: 2021-03-11
 
 
Publication date: 2021-09-30
 
 
HIV & AIDS Review 2021;20(3):229-230
 
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ABSTRACT
Prescription of medications for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can help people with HIV (PWHIV) to live longer and healthier lives and reduce the risk of transmitting HIV to their partner [1]. In this regard, development of new solutions is vital to strengthen patient-physician communication and maintain HIV care in controlling the HIV epidemic in Iran. According to studies conducted in Iran and the United States, the challenges of receiving medication, counseling, and maintaining adherence to medications were identified as: transportation costs, long distances, unemployment, homelessness, depression, low income, and social stigma [2, 3]. Currently, we are facing the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which has disrupted the delivery of health services to the target population, especially to HIV patients worldwide [4]. The number of COVID-19 cases has increased significantly compared to severe acute respiratory syndrome and Middle East respiratory syndrome. Furthermore, decrease of the disease activity is not probable, which implies that the controlling measures must be in place for a longer period of time [5]. Considering social distance and staying at home as the cornerstone for prevention of COVID-19 [6], providing appropriate services to HIV patients and helping them to have timely drug adherence have highlighted the need for application of telecommunication technologies.
 
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eISSN:1732-2707
ISSN:1730-1270
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