Physical Activity, Anxiety, Depression, and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in People with HIV

Physical activity (PA) levels, as well as symptoms of anxiety and depression, can affect adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) impacting people's health. This study aimed to evaluate the association between PA levels, clinical symptoms of anxiety and depression, and adherence to ART in people living with HIV (PLHIV). A cross-sectional study, including 125 PLHIV was conducted. Adherence to ART was assessed using the Simplified Medication Adherence Questionnaire (SMAQ). For anxiety and depression, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was applied. The level of PA was assessed using the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. SPSS version 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. The prevalence of clinical levels of anxiety and depression symptoms was 53.6% and 37.6%, respectively. Fifty-three percent presented clinical levels of depression and anxiety symptoms. Sixty-one people (48.8%) had vigorous PA levels, 36 people (28.8%) had moderate PA levels, and 28 people (22.4%) had low PA levels. According to the SMAQ, 34.5% of the patients were adherent to ART. People who performed low PA levels had more risk to develop clinical levels of depression symptoms. Clinical level of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress (PD) symptoms was found to increase the risk of nonadherence to ART.