Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria were as follows: (a) a diagnosis of HIV or AIDS irrespective of the assessment method used, (b) participants were at least 18 years of age, (c) studies contained quantitative research and had been published in a peer-reviewed journal, (d) the dependent variable was a measure of physical activity participation; for the meta-analysis of the current levels the mean time (minutes) per day/week engaged in light, moderate or high intensity physical activity or sedentary behavior was needed, (e) the study was executed in a country of SSA. No restriction was placed on the selection of the outcome measure or the language of the article. For cohort or intervention studies, only associations of physical activity participation with baseline data were included. We excluded articles if the dependent variable was aerobic fitness, physical activity intention, self-efficacy, or other intermediate (non-behavioral) measures because these variables are less direct indicators of actual physical activity behavior³⁰. Also, case reports and expert opinions were excluded.