Physical activity level and associated factors among adult HIV patients in Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: People living with HIV, who take Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), often enjoy long and healthy lives, but this therapy has well known metabolic adverse effects. Physical activity is found to be an important factor in improving these physiological parameters. This study aimed to determine physical activity level and associated factors among HIV patients in Ethiopia. Methods: An institutional based cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2019. We selected a total of 422 adult HIV patients, attending antiretroviral therapy clinics in three selected hospitals in Southern Ethiopia. Data were collected at routine care consultations by nine trained nurses using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. The level of physical activity was measured by the international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ). Result: The mean age of participants was 38.7±9.13 years. Of the participants, 68% were physically inactive, with a higher proportion of inactive women (74%) than men (61%) [(AOR=1.64, 95% CI: (1.07, 2.53)]. In addition, urban vs. rural residents [(AOR=2.57, 95% CI: (1.16, 5.72)] and patients who were on ART for ≥24 months [(AOR=1.1.88, 95% CI: (1.15, 3.08)] had higher odds of having a low physical activity level. Conclusion: Most people living with HIV and receiving ART have low physical activity levels. Especially female and urban living patients and those with longer treatment duration have low levels of physical activity. More insight is needed on the reasons for physical inactivity among HIV patients and physical activity programs for HIV patients in low-income countries need to be developed.

Level of physical activity and its associated factors among adults in southeast Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

“…However, the finding in the current study differed from the national study findings, which reported adults with higher education were 28% less likely to be physically active compared with those without formal education 39. The possible variation could be due to differences in the source population in which the former study included participants from rural population where the majority of adults engage in agricultural related activities and use walking for travel to and from places due to limited transport access,22 whereas the current study focused solely on urban adults.…”

“…Additional cross-sectional studies conducted among adults in eastern Ethiopia reported that about 45% of adults did not achieve the WHO recommended level of physical activity 20 21. Significant variability in reported inactivity levels reflects variation in studied populations, such as patient, adolescents or pregnant women 22–30. The recommended level and intensity of physical activity varies for adults, adolescents, pregnant women and people living with different medical conditions 3.…”

Development of Hypertension and Diabetes Mellitus, and Associated Factors, Among Adult HIV Patients in Ethiopia

“… 56 In addition, the previous study conducted in the current study area indicates that there is a low level of physical activity among PLWH. 22 Therefore, the health care providers working in the ART clinic should consider creating awareness about the importance of regular physical exercise among HIV patients.…”

“… 21 The previous study in the current study area, with the same study population, shows a high level of physical inactivity. 22 HIV-positive patients may have a number of NCD risk factors. Tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and poor diets (high intake of fat, salt, and processed carbs) are a few of these.…”