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Antiretrovirals and the use of traditional, complementary and alternative medicine by HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

A longitudinal study

Bibliographic Data

ID21067503
AuthorsKarl Peltzer (0000-0002-5980-0876, Human Sciences Research Council), Natalie Friend-Du Preez (University of London), S Ramlagan (Human Sciences Research Council), Henry Fomundam, Jane Anderson (0000-0001-5294-8707, Homerton University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust), Lucia Chanetsa
Year2011
Volume8
Issue4
Pages337-45
Publication date2011-06-07
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAfrican Journal of Traditional Complementary and Alternative Medicines (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0189-6016 • E-ISSN: 2505-0044
PublisherAfrican Journals Online (AJOL) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.4314/ajtcam.v8i4.1
PMID22654209
OpenAlexW2140960801
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited8

The aim of this prospective study (20 months) was to assess HIV patients' use of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) and its effect on ARV adherence at three public hospitals in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Seven hundred and thirty-five (29.8% male and 70.2% female) patients who consecutively attended three HIV clinics completed assessments prior to ARV initiation, 519 after 6 months, 557 after 12 and 499 after 20 months on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results indicate that following initiation of ARV therapy the use of herbal therapies for HIV declined significantly from 36.6% prior to ARV therapy to 8.0% after 6 months, 4.1% after 12 months and 0.6% after 20 months on ARVs. Faith healing methods (including spiritual practices and prayer) declined from 35.8% to 22.1%, 20.8% and 15.5%, respectively. In contrast, the use of micronutrients (vitamins, etc.) significantly increased from 42.6% to 78.2%. The major herbal remedies that were used prior to ART were unnamed traditional medicine, followed by imbiza (Scilla natalensis planch), canova (immune booster), izifozonke (essential vitamins mixed with herbs), African potato (Hypoxis hemerocallidea), stametta (aloe mixed with vitamins and herbs) and ingwe (tonic). Herbal remedies were mainly used for pain relief, as immune booster and for stopping diarrhea. As herbal treatment for HIV was associated with reduced ARV adherence, patient's use of TCAM should be considered in ARV adherence management

Alternative medicine · Antiretroviral therapy · Family medicine · Prospective cohort study · Traditional medicine · Viral load · Complementary and Alternative Medicine Studies · Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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    Open Access•Karl Peltzer•SAHARA-J Journal of Social…•2013

  • Screening and brief interventions for hazardous and harmful alcohol use among patients with active tuberculosis attending primary public care clinics in South Africa

    Open Access•Karl Peltzer, Pamela Naidoo et al.•BMC Public Health•2013

  • Perceptions of alcohol risk among people on antiretroviral treatment in South Africa

    Pengpid, Karl Peltzer•Journal of Psychology in Africa•2014

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    Open Access•Mmamosheledi Elsie Mothibe, Mmamosheledi Mothibe et al.•African Journal of Traditional…•2017

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    Open Access•Tessa Heestermans, Joyce L Browne et al.•BMJ Global Health•2016

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    Open Access•Peter Bai James, Jon Wardle et al.•BMJ Global Health•2018

  • Traditional and biomedical health practices of adolescent boys and young men living with perinatally-acquired HIV in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

    Open Access•Lesley Gittings, C J Colvin et al.•Global Public Health•2023

  • These people who dig roots in the forests cannot treat HIV’

    Open Access•Amy Weintraub, Joanne E Mantell et al.•Global Public Health•2017

  • HIV Care and Treatment Beliefs among Patients Initiating Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in Oromia, Ethiopia

    Open Access•Olga Tymejczyk, Hoffman et al.•AIDS and Behavior•2015

  • Social support, disclosure and stigma and the association with non-adherence in the six months after antiretroviral therapy initiation among a cohort of HIV-positive adults in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    Open Access•George, S George et al.•AIDS Care•2019

  • Social and behavioral factors associated with failing second-line ART – results from a cohort study at the Themba Lethu Clinic, Johannesburg, South Africa

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  • Indigenous medicine and biomedical health care in fragile settings

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  • Understanding adolescents living with HIV in Accra, Ghana

    Open Access•M Dako-Gyeke, Alice Boateng et al.•Children and Youth Services Review•2020

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    Open Access•Ntambwe Malangu•African Journal of Traditional…•2008

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    Open Access•Karl Peltzer, Natalie Friend-Du Preez et al.•African Journal of Traditional…•2010

  • Complementary and alternative medicine use decreases adherence to Haart in HIV-positive women

    Ashli Owen‐smith, A Owen-Smith et al.•AIDS Care•2007

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  • Use of traditional complementary and alternative medicine for HIV patients in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    Open Access•Karl Peltzer, Natalie Friend-Du Preez et al.•BMC Public Health•2008

  • Medicinal plants used by traditional medicine practitioners for the treatment of HIV/Aids and related conditions in Uganda

    Open Access•Mohammed Lamorde, J R S Tabuti et al.•Journal of Ethnopharmacology•2010

  • Impact of traditional medicinal plant extracts on antiretroviral drug absorption

    Open Access•L Brown, Larry R Brown et al.•Journal of Ethnopharmacology•2008

  • In vitro anti-HIV activity of five selected South African medicinal plant extracts

    Open Access•M Klos, Maureen Lilian Klos et al.•Journal of Ethnopharmacology•2009

Unique citing works14
Citations per year1,08
Citation span2013 - 2023 (11)
Citation velocityhistorical
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 9
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