Positive Health Online

Abstract

DE VISSER, EZZY and BARTOS, Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia studied alternative and complementary therapy use among people with HIV/AIDS.

Background

Many people with HIV/AIDS use alternative therapies . Do they choose alternative therapies instead of allopathic therapies?

Methodology

The authors examined patterns of use of allopathic therapies and alternative therapies among people living with HIV/AIDS. A cross-sectional survey of 925 men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Australia was performed. Correlates of choice of therapy included demographic variables, sources of information about treatment, and attitudes toward treatments and health management. Results: 56% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Australia use alternative therapies . Attitudes toward both allopathic and alternative therapies were positive. The choice of allopathic and/or alternative therapies was related to disease progression. Choice of therapy was also related to attitudes toward allopathic and alternative therapies. Many users of alternative therapies believe that such therapies can alleviate the side effects of antiretroviral drugs.

Results

Conclusion

The results of this study suggest that rather than being used as an alternative to allopathic medicine, non-allopathic therapies are used by people living with HIV/AIDS as complementary therapies .

References

De Visser R et al. Alternative or complementary? Non-allopathic therapies for HIV/AIDS. Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine 6 (5): 44-52. Sep 2000.