Dietary practices, physical activity and viral load suppression among adults living with HIV in Uganda

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Abstract
Introduction: Dietary intake and physical activity influence antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and health outcomes in people living with HIV. This study assessed their association with viral load suppression (VLS) among adults living with HIV in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to August 2024 at 11 The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Centres of Excellence across Uganda. Data, including viral load results, were collected via questionnaires and medical record abstraction. Descriptive statistics, bivariate, and multivariate from the modified Poisson regression analyses were performed using STATA v18. Results: Among 440 participants, 64% achieved VLS. Modified Poisson regression revealed that female sex (aPR=1.26, 95%CI: 1.14-1.40, p60 years (aPR=1.17, 95%CI: 1.06-1.31, p=0.003), being divorced/separated (aPR=1.14, 95%CI: 1.01-1.28, p=0.030), and widowed (aPR=1.13, 95%CI: 1.02-1.24, p=0.011), were associated with a higher prevalence of VLS. Being employed or active workforce (aPR=0.88, 95% CI: 0.78-0.99, p=0.037), and riding a bicycle (aPR=0.86, 95% CI: 0.75-0.99, p=0.041) were associated with a lower prevalence of VLS in adults. Conclusion: Viral load suppression among older Ugandan adults on ART was suboptimal. Female sex, older age (56 years and above), and being divorced/separated or widowed were associated with a higher prevalence of viral suppression, whereas being employed/actively working and using a bicycle as a means of transport were associated with a lower prevalence of viral suppression. Targeted interventions are needed to improve treatment outcomes among older adults, particularly among men and those engaged in active employment.

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