Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) utilization pattern among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Materials and Methods. Data on sociodemographic profile and clinical and TCAM utilization were collected using a structured, pretested questionnaire from April 01 to May 28, 2014, through interviews with patients. Data on CD4 count, HIV stage, and ART regimen were collected from patient records. Analysis was conducted descriptively using SPSS version 20. Results. Of the 300 participants, 43.7% reported using TCAM, with the largest proportion of them from religious institutions (churches/mosques) (41.22%), followed by home prepared (32.82%) and traditional healers (16.03%). The leading forms of TCAM used were spiritual and herbal therapies constituting 56.49% and 36.64% of the patients, respectively. The most frequently used herbal products included Nigella sativa (22.92%) and Moringa oleifera (20.83%). Most of the patients (73.30%) using TCAM reported improvement in their conditions. Conclusions. TCAM utilization among HIV/AIDS patients on ART was common and different sources and types were used alongside ART, with improvement reported by most. Further research is needed to identify CAM therapies which may be used as adjunct treatments among these patients.
Highlights
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to the use of medical products and practices that are not part of the standard medical care
Majority (79%) of the respondents were from urban areas (Table 1)
In another study done in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, the proportion of HIV AIDS patients who used traditional complementary and alternative medicine (TCAM) was 51.3% in the previous six months before the study [7, 13, 19]
Summary
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) refers to the use of medical products and practices that are not part of the standard medical care. It can be described as a health care system that uses accumulated knowledge, skills, and practices obtained from nonformal medical training or practice. Its use is increasing across the world in countries rich with such practices along with the conventional medicine in their national health care system [1]. Patients with HIV/AIDS commonly look for some kind of alternative or complementary therapy parallel to their conventional therapy. Different CAM modalities are taken by HIV/AIDS patients in addition to the principal ART regimen. In parts of the world where traditional medicine (TM) practice is longstanding and strong, like China, Africa, and India, considerable number of patients visit traditional healers (TH) even before visiting
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