Physical activity promotion among HIV providers in Colorado: an explanatory sequential mixed-methods study.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Management
• Health Promotion Strategies

Background:

• Physical activity is crucial for managing HIV and improving overall health outcomes.
• Effective health promotion strategies are needed to integrate physical activity into routine care for people living with HIV (PLHIV).

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the current state of physical activity promotion among HIV providers.
• To explore strategies for enhancing physical activity promotion within an outpatient infectious disease clinic.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study employing questionnaires and semi-structured interviews with HIV providers.
• Descriptive analysis of questionnaire data and conventional content analysis of interview transcripts.

Main Results:

• 88% of providers viewed physical activity promotion as beneficial, yet 65% cited insufficient resources/reimbursement.
• Providers expressed a need for more structured physical activity advice for PLHIV.
• Systems-level barriers were identified as significant challenges to promoting physical activity.

Conclusions:

• HIV providers generally support physical activity promotion but face systemic barriers.
• Structured interventions and potentially in-clinic specialists may facilitate physical activity initiation and adherence for PLHIV.
• Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of proposed strategies.