ABSTRACT
Background: Recent advancements in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) treatments allow individuals to live longer, healthier lives, many of the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) causes side effects that affect quality of life (National Institutes of Health, 2005a).
Methods:This survey data were collected from 258 individuals receiving HIV care related services from the antiretroviral clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Participants completed and returned questionnaires for each transtheoretical model constructs (decisional-balance, self-efficacy, behavioral and experiential processes of change) along with the stages of change questionnaire, perceived barriers to physical activity and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short form). Normality of data was assessed using histogram, Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and interquartile range as appropriate. Level of significance was set at p>0.05.
Results:The mean age of participants was 46.28, ranging from 18 years and above. Majority of the sample self-identified as female 193(75.1%), 180(70%) of the respondents were married,103(40.1%) highest level of education was secondary school, 170(66.1%) majority of the respondents was employed. 159(61.9%) of the respondents were in the precontemplation stage of change, 6 (2.3%) of the respondents were in the contemplation stage of change, 20(7.8) were in preparation, 15(5.8) were in action, and 57(22.2%) were in maintenance. There was significant relationship between process of change, perceived barriers to physical activity and PA stages of change.
