Use of complementary and alternative medicines among a multistate, multisite cohort of people living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of and factors associated with use of complementary or alternative medicine (CAM) in a multistate, multisite cohort of HIV‐infected patients. Methods During 2003, 951 adult patients from 14 sites participated in face‐to‐face interviews. Patients were asked if they received treatment from any alternative therapist or practitioner in the previous 6 months. Logistic regression was performed to examine associations between demographic and clinical variables and CAM use. Results The majority of the participants were male (68%) and African American (52%) with a median age of 45 years (range 20–85 years). Sixteen per cent used any CAM in the 6 months prior to the interview. Factors associated with use of CAM were the HIV risk factor injecting drug use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.51] compared with men who have sex with men (MSM), former drug use (AOR=2.12) compared with never having used drugs, having a college education (AOR=2.43), and visiting a mental health provider (AOR=2.76). Conclusions This study demonstrated similar rates of CAM use in the current highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era compared with the pre‐HAART era. Factors associated with CAM – such as education, use of mental health services, and MSM risk factor – suggest that CAM use may be associated with heightened awareness regarding the availability of such therapies. Given the potential detrimental interactions of certain types of CAM and HAART, all HIV‐infected patients should be screened for use of CAM.

Beliefs and practices of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among HIV/AIDS patients: A qualitative exploration

“…[13] Lastly, from a therapeutic perspective, there are standing concerns of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) between the conventional ARTs and type of CAM used [38,11,44], especially when most studies reported an adjunct use of CAM with ARTs. [31,45] This should also be a concern as the safety and risk factors of possible drug interactions are frequently ignored by PLWHA, as they are much focused on various expected benefits [42] as well as lack of knowledge on safety aspects. [46] Hasan et al in their study among Malaysian PLWHA reported ADRs associated with CAM use, which warranted greater healthcare providers' knowledge regarding the subject.…”

Alcohol use among HIV‐infected persons in care: results of a multi‐site survey*

“…Interviews were administered to a convenience sample of 951 adult ( 18 years old) HIV-infected patients who volunteered when asked to participate in an interview, as described previously [22]. The median sample size per site was 59 patients (range 38-172 patients).…”

Health-Related Quality of Life in HIV-Infected Patients: The Role of Substance Use

“…Interviews were conducted with a sample of 951 adult (18 years of age or older) HIV-infected patients who volunteered when asked to participate, as described previously. 22 Initially, a random sample was drawn from deidentified patient lists at each site. Staff at each site determined the sampled patient's name and address, and mailed an invitation to participate.…”