Table 2 Perceptions, facilitators and barriers of physical activity people living with HIV according to the Social Ecological Model

Intrapersonal (individual)

Perceptions of physical activity

Awareness and interpretation of physical activity

Experiences and practices of physical activity

Benefits of doing physical activity to health

Facilitators

Motivation and reasons to do physical activity

Barriers

Health concerns

Lack of resources and infrastructure

Time management

Interpersonal (social and family)

Perceptions

Family and friends’ opinions, experiences on physical activity to PLWH

Facilitators

Emotional and physiological social support and interaction

Barriers

Family and friends’ discouragements to do physical activity

Fear of the disease/HIV-condition to worsen

Community / environmental

Perceptions

Attitudes and beliefs of physical activity

Embedded social and cultural norms (stereotypes/gender roles) of physical activity

Facilitators

Availability of resources and infrastructure to do physical activity

Barriers

Lack of public health messages and groups for physical activity

Little advice on physical activity from health care professionals

Weather

Personal identity and religious concerns

Lack of public physical activity facilities / infrastructure