USE OF COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES (C/A RX) BY HIV+ WOMEN (WM): THE WOMEN'S INTERAGENCY HIV STUDY (WIHS) |
Berrier, Jayne, Young M, Barkan S, Melnick S, Greenblatt R, Currier J, Weber K, Wilson T, FitzGerald G. for the WIHS Collaborative Study Group.
Objective: To determine the use of C/A Rx among HIV+ and HIV- WM.
Method: This is the initial analysis of data from 1285 (1049 HIV+ and 236 HIV-) WM enrolled as of 5/1/95 in WIHS, a multi-site, longitudinal study of the natural history of HIV in WM. The WM were categorized 3 ways: 'Users' answered Yes to at least one of 25 C/A Rx (e.g., herbals, spiritual practices, acupuncture, massage, etc.) within the previous 2 or 6 months; 'Transitionals', Yes only to at least one of: 'regular exercise', 'special diet', 'visited nutritionist', 'visited chiropractor'; all others are 'Non-Users'.
Results: C/A Rx use was similar in HIV+ and HIV- WM; combined data are reported. 52% of the WM are C/A Rx Users, 26% Transitionals, and 22% Non-Users. Users are older than Non-Users (mean age, 36.5 vs. 35.7; p=.02) and have higher household incomes (mean $18,371 vs. $14,005; p<.001). More are born in USA (88% vs 81%; X2=6.89, p=.03) and are high school graduates (74% vs 53%; X2=47.05, p<.0001). 66% of Whites are Users, 51% of Blacks, and 41% of Hispanics (X2=42.51, p<.0001). The two most frequently reported C/A Rx were regular exercise and spiritual practices (including yoga, meditation, and prayer). 52% of all women and 59% of Users reported regular exercise, while 37% of all women and 73% of Users reported spiritual practices. The third most frequently reported C/A Rx was Chinese or other herbs, reported by 19% of all women and 38% of Users. 70% of Users reported not discussing this with their healthcare providers.
Conclusions: More than half of WIHS WM reported C/A Rx use and 70% did not discuss this with their healthcare providers. Reports of C/A Rx by other HIV+ groups (mostly gay men) have ranged from 22% to 40%. Such a variety of self-help strategies used by persons with HIV, if not acknowledged, may confound clinical symptoms and research outcomes, thus affecting clinical care and quality of life.
J Berrier, Mt. Sinai Medical Center, Box 1042, 1 Gustave Levy Pl, New York, NY, 10021
Telephone: 212-241-8298
Fax: 212-860-4607/212-423-5710
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