Physical activity among HIV-positive patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Hanoi and Nam Dinh, Vietnam: a cross-sectional study.
OBJECTIVES
Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has facilitated the transition of HIV infection into a chronic disease, where adherence to medications is required along with keeping a healthy lifestyle. Therefore, an increase in physical activity has been recommended for patients with HIV in order to maintain their health status. This study looked to determine the physical activity level and its associated factors among patients with HIV receiving ART treatment.


SETTINGS
Eight outpatient clinic sites across different levels of the health systems in both rural and urban settings in Hanoi and Nam Dinh, Vietnam.


STUDY DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS
A cross-sectional study was performed among 1133 patients with HIV receiving ART treatment from January to August 2013.


PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES
Physical activity level was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Socioeconomic, health-related quality of life, ART adherence and ART-related characteristics were self-reported.


RESULTS
16% of participants were inactive, and 68% were reported active via health-enhancing physical activity. Rural participants reported a higher level of physical activity compared with urban participants. Participants having a longer duration of ART were less likely to be physically active. Participants who were female and self-employed, who had higher CD4 cell count, higherEuroQol - 5 dimensions - 5levels (EQ-5D-5L) index/EQ-Visual Analogue Scale, and shared their health status with their peers were more likely to have a higher IPAQ score or be physically active. A lower IPAQ score was associated with participants living in urban areas and being at the symptomatic stage. Participants having poor adherence and longer duration of ART were more likely to be physically inactive.


CONCLUSION
The majority of participants who received ART were physically active. There is a need for interventions to promote physical activity among patients with HIV in urban areas and in the later ART treatment phases. Other potential interventions to increase the level of physical activity include peer support and job guidance.
['Dang|Anh Kim|AK|', 'Nguyen|Long Hoang|LH|', 'Nguyen|Anh Quynh|AQ|', 'Tran|Bach Xuan|BX|', 'Tran|Tung Thanh|TT|', 'Latkin|Carl A|CA|', 'Zhang|Melvyn W B|MWB|', 'Ho|Roger C M|RCM|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D015444:Exercise D005260:Female D015658:HIV Infections D006304:Health Status D006801:Humans D016014:Linear Models D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D015999:Multivariate Analysis D011788:Quality of Life D057566:Self Report D012720:Severity of Illness Index D012959:Socioeconomic Factors D014744:Vietnam D055815:Young Adult
physical activity antiretroviral therapy Vietnam HIV/AIDS PLWH