The role of sociocultural contexts in forming adult HIV-patients’ behavior towards the prevention of metabolic syndrome: A descriptive phenomenological study

Abstract

Background: The human immunodeficiency virus-associated metabolic syndrome (MS) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is becoming an important concern for its additional disease burdens imposed on society, intensified with limited knowledge of how to prevent and recognize the sociocultural contexts' role in dictating behavior towards the modifiable risks. The aim of the study identify the role of sociocultural contexts in shaping individual PLWHs behavior focused on how knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) influence the feeding habits, physical activity and harmful substance use habits among adult PLWHs, in the Gedeo zone, South Ethiopia. Methods: A deductive descriptive phenomenological study, complemented with a thematic content analysis approaches, enhanced with the focus group discussion (FGDs) and an in-depth interview method were employed; starting from February 1st to 30th of March 2018. Adult PLWHs and their corresponding care providers were purposefully chosen and involved in the interview. Finally, Atlas. ti (V.7.5.7) and SPSS (V.20) software were used to handle and analyze all text and survey data respectively iteratively; finally result is reported using the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) checklist. Result: A total of six (n=4 FGDs and n=2 in-depth) interviews, arranged in a total number (N=32) male and female PLWHS, whose mean age of 36.96 (+ 8.94) years and duration of treatment 5.19 (SD 3.16) years were involved. The coded response dictated the knowledge and practices regarding the dietary habits, intentional physical activities and other lifestyle behavior into the inadequate group; as well as the attitude into an unfavorable direction. Conclusion: The absence of adequate knowledge about MS and its risk prevention mechanisms leads to the unfavorable attitude and inadequate practices. This implicates the significance of the adoption of the healthy living practices associated awareness creation program targeted the PLWHs to impact their behavior to enable better control of NCDs and its consequences.