Browsing by Author "Ojuka, Edward"

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The influence of a twelve weeks aerobic exercise regimen on neuroticism in HIV positive clients in Uganda
(International Journal of Sport Culture and Science, 2025-06-28) Mwebaze, Nicholas; Nsibambi, Constance A.N.; Ojuka, Edward; Maghanga, Mshilla
Highly active antiretrovirals have led to a considerable drop in HIV-related morbidity and mortality and a large increase in the life expectancy of HIV positive individuals in Uganda. The likelihood of clinicians coming across people exhibiting neuroticism symptoms associated with the illness has been reported to be on the increase. As much as exercising has been established to have positive effects is alleviating such symptoms, it is noted that, 52% of the population do not follow an exercise regimen and the problem has persisted. This study assessed the influence of aerobic exercise on neuroticism symptoms in HIV positive clients attending an ART clinic in Uganda. A quasi-experimental research design with 67 volunteers in each of the pre- and post-test control groups. The results reveal that at the pre-test stage, all the experimental group participants reported experiencing some form of neuroticism. However, after the aerobic exercises, 80.8% of the experimental study participants reported having been relieved of neuroticism symptoms. In this instance, the experimental group’s p-value was smaller than the alpha level (.05) since the test took a 95% threshold for significance. These results imply that aerobic exercises have a significant effect on reducing neuroticism in HIV positive clients on ART.
Twelve Weeks Aerobic Exercise Improves Anxiety and Depression in HIV Positive Clients on Art in Uganda
(İbrahim ERDEMİR, 2024-12-31) Mwebaze, Nicholas ; Nsibambi, Constance Adron Nakayiza ; Ojuka, Edward ; Maghanga, Mshilla
Aim: The study aimed at bridging the gap by assessing the impact of a 12-week aerobic exercise program on anxiety and depression for HIV-positive clients. Methods: The study, conducted at the General Military Hospital in Uganda, employed a quasi-experimental design. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires and a sample of 135 people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy engaged in the study. Quantitative data was analyzed using t-tests, revealing significant reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms among participants. Results: The findings demonstrated a 58.5% reduction in depression symptoms and a 72% decrease in anxiety symptoms among participants engaged in aerobic exercises. Both groups exhibited improvements, with the experimental group showing greater reductions. The results further revealed that depression and anxiety are two to four times more common in individuals living with HIV than in those without the virus, and depression is also more common in those on HAART than in those without the virus. Conclusion: The results support the potential of aerobic exercise as a valuable adjunct therapy for people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. Well-structured and supervised aerobic exercise was found to be essential for improving the clinical outcomes of PLHIV on ART.