Physical Activity, Depression, and Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence Among People Living With HIV: A Mediation Analysis

• Published in: The Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Vol. 30; no. 5; pp. 556 - 562
• Main Authors: Bhochhibhoya, Amir, Qiao, Shan, Mao, Yuchen, Zhou, Yuejiao, Shen, Zhiyong, Sui, Xuemei, Li, Xiaoming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Ovid Technologies 01-09-2019
• Subjects: Adherence; AIDS/HIV; Antiretroviral drugs; Antiretroviral therapy; Clinical trials; Drug therapy; Exercise; Health promotion; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Mental depression; Mental health; Nursing; Physical activity; Psychological well being
• ISSN: 1055-3290; 1552-6917
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000045

The aim of our study was to explore the relationships between physical activity, depression, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. Data were obtained from a randomized controlled trial of people living with HIV (N = 658) in China. Ordinal regression and logistic regression analyses were performed to examine associations between ART adherence, depression, and physical activity. A better ART adherence was associated with higher levels of physical activity (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.80) and lower levels of depression (aOR = 0.95, 95% CI = 0.92-0.99). Higher levels of physical activity were also associated with lower levels of depression (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.32-0.76). Sobel Z test indicated the mediating effect of depression between physical activity and ART adherence (Sobel Z = 1.96, p < .05). This study suggests the benefit of appropriate levels of physical activity to promote both psychological health and ART adherence in people living with HIV.