Traditional Herbal Medicine Use among HAART Patients in Taso Uganda

Betty Namuddu, Ministry of Health, Uganda
Joan Nakayaga
Brian Kigozi
Viola Nampeera, Traditional and Modern Health Practitioners Together Against AIDS and Other Diseases (THETA)
Peter Mudiope
Paul Waako

Many HIV-1 infected patients use herbs to relieve highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) symptoms but the extent of herbal use is not known. The study aimed at determining the prevalence and factors associated with Traditional herbal medicine (THM) use among HAART patients in TASO Uganda. A cross-sectional study was carried out in two TASO centres, Jinja and Entebbe with 401 randomly selected eligible participants. THM use was assessed quantitatively using a pre-tested, interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire. Multivariate analysis was done using logistic regression at 95% Confidence Interval. One hundred and thirty five (33.7%) individuals were using THM while on HAART. The older age HAART patients were found to be associated with THM use (OR=0.26 95% CI: 0.08 – 0.83). Participants with HAART adherence levels > 95% were less likely to use THM; similarly were those who experienced HAART side effects. The prevalence of THM use among HAART patients was high.