Health-promoting Lifestyles and Perceived Barriers among People Living with HIV/AIDS in Gondar University Hospital

Abstract

Health-promoting lifestyles are recognized as means of decreasing the occurrence of diseases and hence lower the death rate. The major purpose of this study was to assess the health-promoting lifestyles and perceived barriers that affect the practice of health-promoting lifestyles among people living with HIV/AIDS in University of Gondar. A cross-sectional survey study design was used for this study. Data were collected using a demographic data questionnaire. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics for analyzing the difference between the means to determine differences in the study variables between males and females, and younger and older participants. The results of the study indicated that participation in health-promoting lifestyles among the study participants was very low. Gender and age differences were observed in the choice of health-promoting lifestyles among the study participants. Male participants scored higher on the total health-promoting lifestyles scale. The study also showed that younger participants were better in their engagement in health-promoting lifestyles as compared to the older ones though the difference was not statistically significant. Unless intervention mechanisms that can enhance health-promoting lifestyles practices of people living with HIV/AIDS are designed and implemented, depending solely on medication may not bring the desired outcome. Therefore, interventions aimed at promoting positive lifestyle changes have the potential to improve one’s health. To this end, instead of solely focusing on monitoring adherence, CD4 T cells and viral loads results to improve outcomes, clinicians need to include individualized counseling, patient education, and cognitive therapies to improve lifestyle choices in their management or care plans. In addition, necessary supports that can play greater role in alleviating the perceived barriers need to be provided by the concerned bodies.