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other·public health, epidemiology, family medicine, internal medicine, infectious disease·PMC10237415

Exploring experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV: A qualitative study

PLOS ONE · 6 authors, 5 centres

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TL;DR

This qualitative descriptive study used online semi-structured interviews with 10 women living with HIV in Toronto, Canada, to explore their exercise experiences.

Full summary

580 CHARS

Each interview was approximately 60–90 minutes in duration, and a descriptive thematic analysis was conducted. Facilitators included aspirations for a healthy lifestyle, using exercise as a mental diversion, having an exercise companion, and financial support from community-based organizations. Barriers included limited mental-health and fitness resources, financial limitations, time and gym restrictions, and cold winter weather. Strategies for uptake included creating social interactions, offering online exercise classes, raising awareness, and providing practical support.

STUDY TYPE

other

SPECIALTY

public health

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AI pipeline

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10237415

Exploring experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV: A qualitative study

PLOS ONE

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ABSTRACT

Objectives To explore experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV, specifically, i) nature and extent of exercise, ii) components that characterize exercise experiences, iii) facilitators and barriers, and iv) strategies for uptake and sustainability of exercise. Design Qualitative descriptive study involving online semi-structured interviews. Recruitment We recruited women living with HIV from a specialty hospital, community-based organization, and medical clinic in Toronto, Canada. Participants Ten women living with HIV who may or may not have engaged in exercise. Data collection Using a semi-structured interview guide, we asked participants to describe their experiences with, facilitators and barriers to, and strategies to facilitate uptake of exercise. We electronically administered a demographic questionnaire to describe personal, HIV and physical activity characteristics of participants. We conducted a descriptive thematic analysis with the interview data, and descriptive analysis (medians, frequencies, percentages) of questionnaire responses. Results Women characterized their experiences with exercise with six intersecting components: (1) culture, (2) gender, (3) HIV-related stigma, (4) episodic nature of HIV, (5) sense of belonging, and (6) perceptions of exercise. Facilitators to exercise included: aspirations to achieve a healthy lifestyle, using exercise as a mental diversion, having an exercise companion, and receiving financial support from community-based organizations to facilitate engagement. Barriers to exercise included: limited resources (lack of mental-health support and fitness resources in the community), financial limitations, time and gym restrictions, and cold winter weather conditions. Strategies to facilitate uptake of exercise included: creating social interactions, provision of online exercise classes, raising awareness and education about exercise, and offering practical support. Conclusions Experiences with exercise among women living with HIV were characterized by intersecting personal and environmental contextual components. Results may help inform tailored implementation of exercise rehabilitation programs to enhance uptake of exercise and health outcomes among women living with HIV.

CITATION EXPORT

Nora Sahel-Gozin, Mona Loutfy, Kelly K. O’Brien et al.. Exploring experiences engaging in exercise from the perspectives of women living with HIV: A qualitative study. PLOS ONE. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0286542

AUTHORS

6 · 5 CENTRES

Nora Sahel-Gozin, Mona Loutfy, Kelly K. O’Brien, Enock Madalitso Chisati, Enock Madalitso Chisati, Enock Madalitso Chisati

1 Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation (IHPME), Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
2 Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
3 Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
4 Rehabilitation Sciences Institute (RSI), University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS), MALAWI

EDITOR / REVIEWER

Enock Madalitso Chisati