A NEEDS ASSESSMENT FOR A CONTEXT-SENSITIVE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTION AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV-RELATED DISABILITY

T. Oladejo¹, H. Myezwa², A. Ajidahun¹, S.C. Ibeneme³

¹University of the Witwatersrand, Physiotherapy, Johannesburg, South Africa, ²University of the Witwatersrand, School of Therapeutic Sciences, Johannesburg, South Africa, ³University of Nigeria, Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Disability caused by HIV, HIV comorbidities, and long-term ART use are widely acknowledged as critical public health and development issues in sub-Saharan Africa. Physical activity is recommended as an effective nonpharmacological intervention to manage this disability and improve the quality of life of people living with HIV, with evidence and guidelines growing in the literature. Despite these guidelines, people living with HIV do not meet the recommended level of physical activity. Understanding current levels and correlates of physical activity is crucial to developing effective physical activity interventions.

Purpose: This study examined the level, barriers, and facilitators of physical activity among people living with HIV with the view of developing a context-sensitive physical activity program to manage HIV-related disability in Nigeria. The assessment of physical activity prevalence and associated factors is crucial, as it defines the existing physical inactivity problem and justifies the need for a non-pharmacological intervention for HIV-related disability.

Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted across seven HIV testing and treatment centers in Nigeria. A cross-sectional survey (n = 385) and qualitative study using one-to-one interviews (n = 20) were conducted among adults living with HIV. Sociodemographic data, medical symptoms, and physical activity data were collected using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The objectives and methods of the study were explained to each participant, and informed consent was obtained. Quantitative data were summarized using descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages, while qualitative data were extracted, coded, and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 42.2 ± 10.43 years; 73% were females. 45.5% of the participants did not meet the recommended physical activity levels. People with higher educational levels are more likely to be physically active. Twenty people living with HIV were interviewed. The reported barriers to physical activity were lack of time, fatigue, an unsupportive environment, finances, and other commitments, while the motivators were perceived benefits, habits, influence by others, and the health benefits of illness prevention and pain relief.

Conclusions: Our findings reveal that occupational physical activity and household chores contribute significantly to the daily energy expenditure of people living with HIV in Nigeria and engaging in leisure physical activity is influenced by multiple interpersonal and environmental factors

Implications: Examining the levels and correlates of physical activity provides a useful starting point to complete the needs assessment and allows an in-depth understanding of current barriers to physical activity participation with the objective of developing a context-sensitive rehabilitation intervention to manage HIV-related disability. To improve physical activity levels, physiotherapists and other public health professionals should advocate and promote leisure-time physical activity and advocate exercise-friendly environments

Funding acknowledgements: No direct funding was received for this study. Oladejo T. was supported by Wits University Faculty of Health Sciences Research Committee

Keywords:
HIV-related disability
Physical activity
Rehabilitation intervention

Topics:
Health promotion & wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Disability & rehabilitation

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes

Institution: University of the Witwatersrand

Committee: Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of the Witwatersrand

Ethics number: M200906