Abstract
OBJECTIVES The study aimed to assess the pattern of traditional medicine(TM) use and its impact on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among HIV patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV patients on ART in Addis Ababa public ART clinics, from September to October 2013. The study population consisted of 845 HIV patients who were on ART at least for six months, selected by systematic sampling technique from nine randomly selected clinics. Data were collected by trained health professionals through face-to-face interview of patients, using pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered to Epi-info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 16. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of TM use on ART adherence.
RESULTS Eight hundred forty-five patients were included in the study, 572 (67.7%) of which were females. A third (33.2%) of the patients were TM and ART concomitant users. Most frequently used TM were Alium sativum (34%) and Ocimum lamifolia (28%); mainly for the purpose of managing HIV/AIDS related symptoms (61.2%). Most (68.7%) of the patients were using TM without consulting health professionals. Factors independently associated with concomitant TM and ART use were perceived quality of service in ART clinics (poor vs good, AOR 2.35; 95% CI 1.78-3.44), number of ART side effects reported (≥3 vs ≤1, AOR 2.61 95%CI 1.53-5.47) and self-perceived health status (poor vs good, AOR 2.14; 95% CI 1.62-6.31). Concomitant TM and ART use had statistically significant association with poor ART adherence (AOR 3.15; 95% CI 2.32-6.32).
CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that many patients used TM concomitant to ART. Since TM use among the patients was found to impact their ART adherence and because of the possibility for interaction, patients should be advised to consult their health care providers when they need to take TM while on ART.
METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV patients on ART in Addis Ababa public ART clinics, from September to October 2013. The study population consisted of 845 HIV patients who were on ART at least for six months, selected by systematic sampling technique from nine randomly selected clinics. Data were collected by trained health professionals through face-to-face interview of patients, using pre-tested questionnaire. Data were entered to Epi-info version 7 and analyzed by SPSS version 16. Logistic regression was used to assess the impact of TM use on ART adherence.
RESULTS Eight hundred forty-five patients were included in the study, 572 (67.7%) of which were females. A third (33.2%) of the patients were TM and ART concomitant users. Most frequently used TM were Alium sativum (34%) and Ocimum lamifolia (28%); mainly for the purpose of managing HIV/AIDS related symptoms (61.2%). Most (68.7%) of the patients were using TM without consulting health professionals. Factors independently associated with concomitant TM and ART use were perceived quality of service in ART clinics (poor vs good, AOR 2.35; 95% CI 1.78-3.44), number of ART side effects reported (≥3 vs ≤1, AOR 2.61 95%CI 1.53-5.47) and self-perceived health status (poor vs good, AOR 2.14; 95% CI 1.62-6.31). Concomitant TM and ART use had statistically significant association with poor ART adherence (AOR 3.15; 95% CI 2.32-6.32).
CONCLUSIONS The study revealed that many patients used TM concomitant to ART. Since TM use among the patients was found to impact their ART adherence and because of the possibility for interaction, patients should be advised to consult their health care providers when they need to take TM while on ART.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | A241 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Value in Health |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - May 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |