Effect of anthropometric and sociodemographic variables on physical activity levels of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome on highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Abstract

Physical inactivity plays a major role in promoting disease outcome, but physical activity enhances effective prevention and treatment of chronic diseases; hence, this study was to determine the effect of anthropometric and demographic factors on the physical activity level of people living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) on antiretroviral therapy. This study adopted a cross-sectional method of descriptive research design. A sample size of 170 participants was recruited for this research comprising 113 females and 57 males, who after obtaining their informed consent were issued questionnaires which they meticulously filled under a proper guidance. The participants were almost proportionally distributed across the three levels of physical activity, though about half of them had a normal weight of body mass index (BMI) based on the information obtained. The study showed that physical activity according to age significantly affected the BMI (P < 0.05). Physical activity level according to gender had no statistically significant effect on BMI of people living with HIV/AIDS on antiretroviral drugs (P > 0.05). However, it was observed that gender had a significant determining effect on BMI, though not related to PAL. The findings possibly imply that the psychological effect and the stigma may be the determining factors for the unwillingness to engage in physical activities. This calls for a renewed sensitization and orientation in this aspect.