Lay-health workers-led physical activity counseling in Ugandan people living with HIV and suicidal ideation

Abstract

The aim of this one-group quasi-experimental study was to assess the efficacy of 8-week physical activity (PA) counseling program delivered by lay health workers (LHWs) in reducing suicidal ideation among people with HIV in Uganda. The counseling, based on the self-determination and motivational interviewing frameworks, consisted of 15-20 minute individual sessions for individuals from remote areas or 60-90 minute group sessions within the health center. Thirty-five (26 women, median age = 29.5years) participants completed the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), HIV/AIDS Stress Scale (HSS), World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule-2 (WHODAS-2) and Simple PA Questionnaire pre- and post-intervention. Post-intervention only 2 of the 35 participants reported suicidal ideation (PHQ-9 item 9 ≥ 1) (p < 0.001). Significant reductions in GAD-7, PHQ-9, HSS, SIMPAQ sedentary and WHODAS-2 scores and an increase in SIMPAQ PA score were observed. LHWs-led PA counselling is promising in reducing suicidal ideation in most people with HIV in low-resourced settings.