Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of the concomitant use of herbal medicine and anti-retroviral drugs in people living with HIV/AIDs and to evaluate the reasons given by the patients for concomitant administration of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) with herbal drugs in order to establish a possible link between the use of herbal medicines and adherence. A cross sectional study design was utilized via systematic sampling for recruitment of HIV positive individuals receiving their medications in Amuwo-Odofin and Ojo areas in Lagos, Nigeria. Based on the inclusion criteria, 351 HIV positive patients were recruited into the study from the HIV outpatient clinics of two hospitals and had the questionnaires administered to them. 42.7% of the respondents stated that they use herbal medicines. The association for each of the herbal medicines with side effects experienced with the use of ARVs was statistically significant upon cross-tabulation and was a major predictor of herbal drug use. The prevalence of herbal drug use in patients who were adhering to HAART medication was not significantly different from those who were not adhering to medication (p = 0.75 and χ2 = 6.902). The use or lack of use of herbal medicine is not a determinant for adherence. The most profound reason for herb use was to improve treatment. However, herb/drug interaction studies are imperative to ascertain if interactions occurring are beneficial or harmful. The pharmacist must counsel and re-counsel patients on HAART, not to use herbal products with their antiretroviral medications to avoid drug-herb interactions which could be potentially life threatening. Key words: Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), herbal drugs, adherence.
Highlights
World Health Organization (W HO) estimates show that 33.4 million people globally were living with HIV/AIDS and there were 2. 0 million A IDS -related deat hs in 2015 (WHO, 2015)
The most populous country in Africa, is estimated to have about 5 million of the population infected with human immunodeficiency virus (H IV), making it the third largest population in the World infected with the dreadful virus (WHO, 2015)
52.7% of the res pondents stated that they do not use herbal medicines, while 42.7% stated that they use herbal medicines despite being asked not to do so prior to commencing antiretroviral treatment
Summary
World Health Organization (W HO) estimates show that 33.4 million people globally were living with HIV/AIDS and there were 2. 0 million A IDS -related deat hs in 2015 (WHO, 2015). World Health Organization (W HO) estimates show that 33.4 million people globally were living with HIV/AIDS and there were 2. In sub-Saharan Africa, 22.4 million adults and children are currently living with HIV/AIDS, representing more than 60% of the global burden of the disease. HIV infection has no cure medically; this serves as a catalyst to source for cure in herbal remedies (Anabwani and Navario, 2005). Since confirmation of the HIV infection in Nigeria in 1987, aft er identification of the virus in the 1980‟s, herbal therapists in Nigeria have been searching for the cure (Abalaka, 2004). This led to many claimed curative medicines or vaccines emanating from Nigeria (Abalaka, 2004). The safety of herbal remedies had been a major concern to health care practitioners especially when the chemical constituents of the product are not known
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
