HIV/AIDS: Research and Palliative Care (Mar 2023)
Predictors of an Active Lifestyle in Middle-Aged and Older Adults with HIV in the United States Deep South
Abstract
Wei Li,1 Pariya L Fazeli,2 Ge Wang,3 Muhammad Maqbool,1 Victor A Del Bene,4 Kristen Triebel,4 Karli M Martin,4 David Vance2 1School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; 2School of Nursing, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA; 3Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, People’s Republic of China; 4Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USACorrespondence: Wei Li, Biomedical Sciences, Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, School of Health Professions, University of Alabama at Birmingham, SHPB 424B, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL, 35294, USA, Tel +1 205-996-2656, Fax +1 205-975-7302, Email [email protected] and Purpose: An active lifestyle is important for health maintenance and disease prevention. This study was to examine what factors predict an active lifestyle in HIV+ and HIV- adults from the United States Deep South.Methods: The sample included 279 participants (174 HIV+ and 105 HIV-) who completed a comprehensive assessment. An active lifestyle composite was created using variables of employment status, level of social support, level of physical activity, and diet. Correlations and regression analyses were conducted between the active lifestyle composite and possible predictors for all (HIV+ and HIV-), HIV+, and HIV- participants, respectively.Results: Lower levels of depression, higher socioeconomic status (SES), and younger age were significant predictors of a more active lifestyle for the full sample, HIV+, and HIV- participants, respectively.Conclusion: SES and depression represent important factors influencing engagement in an active lifestyle in PLWH. Such factors should be considered when developing and implementing lifestyle interventions.Keywords: AIDS, health behaviors, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, HAND mental health, personality