Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2000. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
 |
Altern Ther Health Med. 2000 Sep;6(5):44-52. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/20433539
de Visser R; Ezzy D; Bartos M; Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health, and Society, La Trobe; University, Melbourne.
Abstract: CONTEXT: Many people with HIV/AIDS use alternative therapies. Do they choose alternative therapies instead of allopathic therapies? OBJECTIVE: To examine patterns of use of allopathic therapies and alternative therapies among people living with HIV/AIDS. DESIGN: Cross-sectional survey of convenience sample. SETTING: Nonclinical setting in Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 925 men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Australia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: 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. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that rather than being used as an alternative to allopathic medicine, nonallopathic therapies are used by people living with HIV/AIDS as complementary therapies.
Comment in: Altern Ther Health Med 2000 Sep;6(5):30-1
001230
A00C0915
Copyright © 2000 - National Library of Medicine. Reproduced under license with the National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2000. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2000. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .