Transtheoretical model for exercise behavior: Efficacy among individuals accessing HIV-related services

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, HIV-related care services have focused on treating the physical and mental side effects of HIV and HAART therapy. However, since individuals are living longer, they are beginning to focus on the prevention of side effects through self-care behavior, including physical activity. The transtheoretical model (TTM) for exercise behavior has been widely used for assessing readiness to begin regular exercise, but has not been examined in individuals living with HIV. The purpose of this study was to examine the distribution of the stages of change for exercise among individuals accessing HIV-related care services and the differences between the constructs explained by the stages of change. METHODS: Cross-sectional data were collected from 208 individuals accessing HIV-related care services from February – April 2006. Participants completed a questionnaire which assessed each TTM construct and a measure of physical activity level. RESULTS: Forty-nine (23.6%) of the participants were in the action stage and 71 (33.5%) were in the maintenance stage, indicating that over half the sample engaged in regular physical activity. Univariate results indicated significant differences between the stages of each of the TTM constructs (p >.05) with the largest proportion of variance derived from the behavioral processes of change (η2 = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: This was one of the first studies to examine the TTM for exercise behavior among individuals living with HIV. Overall, the results are consistent with studies in healthy populations, suggesting that stage-matched interventions based on the TTM can be developed for individuals accessing HIV-related care services.