EFFECTS OF AEROBIC EXERCISE ON VIRAL LOAD COUNT AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS IN NEKEMTE, ETHIOPIA

 Ms. Girma T.Jaleta, Dr. Soumitra Monda and Dr. Mathi Vanan and Dr. Mohammed Abdulkedar

Abstract

Literature consistently shows a dearth of published data from developing countries on the effect of exercise for HIV infected persons. The study was aimed to determine the effect of aerobic exercises on viral load   among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia, Nekemte. In this randomized clinical controlled trial, 58 volunteered participants were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Baseline values of the variables were determined. Experimental group participated in moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, whereas the control group was encouraged to continue usual ART and the usual day to day work. For both CG and EG groups, viral load count was made twice, before and after intervention. Mean age of the participants were (34.66 + 4.56) and (38.1+ 4.90) of control and experimental groups respectively. Baseline of experimental group and control group had show insignificant (p=0.20).  After exercise, pre post of exercise group show statistically significant differences (p=0.01) but control group insignificant pre-post (p=0.21). Viral load of PLWHIV/AIDS who participated in the 12 weeks aerobic exercise were more decreased than the control group.

Keywords: HIV, Viral Load Counts; Antiretroviral (ART), Treadmill and Aerobic Exercise.