Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on HIV and hepatitis B testing in Western Iran: insights from an interrupted time series analysis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted healthcare systems worldwide, affecting the delivery of essential diagnostic services. HIV and HBV testing services, critical for the timely detection and management of these diseases, experienced substantial declines during the pandemic. This study aimed to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HIV and HBV testing rates in western Iran.

Methods: We conducted an interrupted time series analysis using data on monthly HIV and HBV testing rates from Behavioral Health Counseling Centers in western Iran. The study period spanned from January 2017 to December 2023, divided into pre-pandemic (January 2017-December 2019) and pandemic (January 2020-December 2023) phases. We modeled the immediate level changes and trends in testing rates post-pandemic onset, accounting for pre-existing trends. Regression analysis provided estimates of changes in testing rates, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results: The analysis revealed a significant decline in HIV testing rates, with an immediate reduction of 145.02 tests per month (95% CI: -159.78 to -130.26). A similar impact was observed for HBV testing, which decreased by 86.50 tests per month (95% CI: -95.51 to -77.49). While a recovery trend was observed for HIV testing over subsequent months, HBV testing exhibited a slower rebound. The disruptions were attributed to resource reallocation, movement restrictions, and reduced healthcare access during the pandemic.

Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic led to substantial disruptions in HIV and HBV diagnostic services in western Iran, underscoring the vulnerability of essential healthcare services to public health emergencies. Although recovery trends were observed, the slower rebound in HBV testing highlights the need for tailored interventions. Strengthening healthcare system resilience, ensuring resource allocation for routine diagnostics, and integrating pandemic preparedness into health policies are crucial to mitigating the impact of future crises.