Moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder symptoms are associated with physical inactivity in people with HIV/AIDS: a study from Uganda

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the prevalence of moderate to severe generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) symptoms and its association with physical activity in people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Uganda. Two hundred and ninety-five PLHIV (median [interquartile range] age = 37.0 years [16.0]; 200 women) completed the GAD-7, Physical Activity Vital Sign, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. An adjusted odds ratio for physical inactivity in people with moderate to severe GAD symptoms was calculated using binary logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of moderate to severe GAD symptoms was 9.1%. Those with moderate to severe GAD symptoms had a 16.8 times higher odds (95% CI = 5.0–55.9) for not complying with the physical activity recommendations. The current study shows that moderate to severe GAD symptoms are strongly associated with physical inactivity in PLHIV living in a country such as Uganda.