Factors related to the use of complementary and alternative medicine among people living with HIV/AIDS in Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

Background: There is insufficient data for casual factors and no up to date evidence of complementary and alternative medicine use among healthy groups of HIV/AIDS patients in Bangkok, Thailand. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among healthy HIV/AIDS patients and find out the causal factors. Method and Material: A cross-sectional study was carried out using the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire was distributed to 225 people living with HIV/AIDS in four HIV/AIDS associations in Bangkok. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: More than half of the people living with HIV/AIDS used complementary and alternative medicine. Vitamins and minerals, dietary supplements and herbal products were the three most popular types. Most of the people living with HIV/AIDS had positive perceptions towards complementary and alternative medicine; however, two-thirds of the people living with HIV/AIDS had poor knowledge about complementary and alternative medicine. Using multiple logistic regression, age, perceptions towards complementary and alternative medicine and product accessibility were associated with the use of complementary and alternative medicine among people living with HIV/AIDS. Conclusion: Learning how to use complementary and alternative medicine appropriately is recommended for people living with HIV/AIDS. A proper balance of the advantages and disadvantages in the information received from the media and from peers is recommended. Lastly, awareness on the part of health professionals of reports of adverse events attributable to complementary and alternative medicine is also necessary for effective two-way communication.