Practices Towards Physical Activity to Reduce the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Among People Living with HIV in Kigali

Background: People living with HIV have a high risk of developing CVD, and they die more quickly from cardiac causes than non-infected individuals. Physical inactivity is among the leading causes of cardiovascular disease; however, it is the neglected risk factor in PLWH, where 82.6% of this vulnerable group were found to be physically inactive. Aim: The purpose of this study was to identify practices towards physical activity to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in People living with HIV in Kigali, a case of Muhima Hospital, to help in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study. The target population of this study consisted of people living with HIV who were at least 18 years old, of either sex, and receiving regular care at Muhima Hospital, and samples of 384 were selected using systematic random sampling. Moreover, data were collected using structured questionnaires and were processed and analyzed by using IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, where P-values were calculated using Chi square, and findings were also presented using frequencies and percentages in tables. Results: Results indicated that practices of physical activity to reduce the risk of CVD in people with HIV, 83% of respondents did sufficient physical activity. The overall mean of results was 1.66, which was higher than the ordinal mean (1.5) of no (1) and yes (2), indicating that there was a significant practice of physical activity to reduce the risk of CVD in people with HIV. On the age group distribution, the proportion of physical activity was statistically significant with P value=.015, and education level, the proportion of physical activity was significant with a P-value=.031. Conclusion: The study concluded that there was a significant practice of physical activity to reduce the risk of CVD in PLWH for those with knowledge and positive attitudes. The young and educated people significantly apply physical activity to reduce the risk of CVD more than other classes of people. Recommendation: The study recommended that the Ministry of Health should develop a policy and campaign aiming to increase the practice of physical activity to reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in PLWH. People living with HIV should regularly engage the physical activities to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and enhance their lives.