Barriers and Facilitators of Physical Activity in People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review of Qualitative Studies

Abstract

Background Most people living with HIV (PLWH) are sedentary. This study aimed to synthesize the findings of qualitative studies to understand barriers and facilitators of physical activity (PA) among PLWH, categorized using the Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) model and Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF). Methods Systematic searches of four databases were conducted to identify eligible studies. Thematic synthesis was used to inductively code, develop, and generate themes from the barriers and facilitators identified. Inductive data-driven themes were deductively categorized using the relevant domains of the COM-B model and the TDF. Results Fourteen articles were included. The most prominent TDF domain for barriers was skills, particularly symptoms/health issues such as fatigue and pain, while the most prominent TDF domain for facilitators was reinforcement, particularly experiencing benefits from PA. Conclusion The breadth of factors identified suggests the need for comprehensive strategies to address these challenges effectively and support PLWH in adopting and sustaining PA routines.