Cute little bird USE OF COMPLEMENTARY/ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES (C/A RX) BY HIV+ WOMEN (WM): THE WOMEN'S INTERAGENCY HIV STUDY (WIHS)
by Berrier, Jayne, Young M, Barkan S, Melnick S, Greenblatt R, Currier J, Weber K, Wilson T, FitzGerald G.

[Th.D.5120] 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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