Use of Traditional Herbal Medicine by AIDS Patients in Kabarole District, Western Uganda

Abstract

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to assess the use of traditional herbal medicine by AIDS patients in Kabarole District, western Uganda. Using systematic sampling, 137 AIDS patients were selected from outpatient departments of 3 hospitals and interviewed via questionnaire. The questions related to such areas as type and frequency of herbal medicine intake, concomitant herb-pharmaceutical drug use (including herb-antiretroviral drug cotherapy), and the perceived effectiveness of herbal medicine. Overall, 63.5% of AIDS patients had used herbal medicine after HIV diagnosis. Same-day herbal medicine and pharmaceutical drugs use was reported by 32.8% of AIDS patients. Patterns of traditional herbal medicine use were quite similar between those on antiretroviral therapy and those who received supportive therapy only. The primary conclusion is that AIDS outpatients commonly use herbal medicine for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. Pharmacological interactions between antiretroviral drugs and traditional herbal medicines need to be further examined.

Gender Differences in Adverse Drug Reactions during HAART Therapy in HIV/AIDS Patients at a Tertiary Care Hospital Penang, Malaysia

“…Majority of the male (53.3%) and female patients (38.8%) have at least a primary education. The same results were found in some African studies [22,23] as well as supported by previous study conducted in Malaysia [24]. This is most likely due to compulsory primary school education policy practice in Malaysia.…”

Causes and outcome of hospitalization among HIV-infected adults receiving antiretroviral therapy in Mulago hospital, Uganda

“…Our data indicates that majority of patients admitted to the medical wards of Mulago National Referral Hospital present very late with severe morbidity and high risk for death. The hospital being a tertiary referral facility, coupled with the practice by some patients of using traditional medicine 43 before seeking professional help, may be the reason for severe debility at presentation. In addition, late diagnosis of HIV, poor referral systems and HIV-related stigma may contribute to late presentation.…”

Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among HivInfected Patient’s On Anti-Retroviral Therapy In The Niger Delta Region, Nigeria.

“…This is similar to a report from western Uganda which shows that majority of AIDS outpatients (63.5%) were using traditional herbal medicine after HIV diagnosis. 19 The popularity of herbs among HIV infected persons in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria may be related to its easy availability, the naturalness of its source as well as the belief in the supernatural cause of diseases among most Nigerians including Niger Delta residents. 20 Faith and prayer was another most preferred CAM remedy (14.7%) among respondents in this study.…”