Physical activity levels among people living with HIV/AIDS treated with high active antiretroviral therapy in Rwanda
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Date
2011
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Publisher
University of the Western Cape
Abstract
The use of high active antiretroviral therapy in people living with HIV/AIDS is increasing worldwide. In Rwanda, above 70 % of people in need of antiretroviral therapies is getting them. This drug therapy is associated with abnormal fat redistribution and metabolic complications which increase the risks of cardiovascular and diabetes diseases among these patients. The best recommended preventive and treating modality for these complications is physical activity participation. Despite this recommendation, there is lack of information about physical activity in HIV individuals under high active antiretroviral therapy. The current study aims to determine physical activity levels among people living with HIV treated with high active antiretroviral therapy in Kigali, Rwanda. A cross-sectional design using quantitative method was used. The participant's levels of physical activity participation and their association with anthropometric profiles were measured, using a structured self-administered questionnaire adapted from the Sub-Saharan Africa Activity Questionnaire. Based on a scientific calculation, 407 clients passing through the clinics were included in the study. A convenient sample of people attending the clinics approached to participate voluntarily in the study. The statistical package for social sciences version 19.0 and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. Inferential statistics like Chi-square test was used to determine the associations between physical activity levels and anthropometric profiles (p<0.05). Of the participants, 77% were female with a mean age of 38.82 years (SD=8.9. According to body mass index and weight hip ration, approximately 40% and 43% were obese and overweight respectively. Obesity was more common amongst the females (45%). The study found a high prevalence of inactivity in the following activities, of leisure-time (82.6%), household (71%), walking to/from work (61.7%) and work related physical activities (75%). Obesity was found to be strongly associated with inactivity in all types of activity. The findings of the current study highlighted the lack of motivation, lack of time and fear of worsening the disease amongst the strong barriers to physical activity participation. The current study recommends education about the benefits of physical activity participation and encouragement of patient treated with high active antiretroviral therapy in Rwanda to be emphasized on to improve their lives.
Description
Magister Scientiae (Physiotherapy) - MSc(Physio)
Keywords
HIV/AIDS