Prevalence and factors associated with use of traditional medicine among HIV positive clients in Mubende District, Uganda

Abstract

Introduction: Traditional Medicine is widely used in Uganda and Sub-Saharan African in general.There are proven adverse interactions between some herbal medications and ARV drugs hence the practice of concurrent use of the different drugs may crucially limit the effectiveness of anti-retroviral therapy. The prevalence and factors associated with use of traditional medications in Mubende are largely unknown. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of the use of TM, identify commonly used TM and the factors associated with the use of TM by HIV/AIDS clients at Mubende Hospital. Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 330 respondents and was carried out at Mubende Regional Refferal Hospital using qualitative and quantitative techniques of data collection. Clients were interviewed using structured questionnaires for quantitative data. Qualitative techniques including Focus Group Discussions and Key Informant Interviews were also conducted. Quantitative data was entered in Epi Info 2002, cleaned and exported to SPSS 16.0 for analysis. Results: The prevalence of ever use of TM was 79.4% and current use was 19.3%. TM was commonly used against Fever (44.3%), Cough (27.8%), and pain control (16.5%). Commonly used TM for fever included Mululuza (Vernonia amydalina), Nalongo (Juctica betonia) and Kigagi (Aloe ssp), while for cough, it was Bombo (Momordica foetida) and Enimu (Citrus lemon). The significant factors associated with TM use in this study were respondents' being Banyoro by tribe (aOR 6.75 CI 1.88-24.3), Low income (aOR 4.97 CI 1.32-14.76) and belief that TM was safe (aOR 28.23 CI 6.92-115.23). Conclusions: TM is widely used by clients in HIV/AIDS care. Belief that traditional medication is safe and low incomes among HIV/AIDS clients were associated with use of TM. The Banyoro were more associated to TM use compared to other tribes. Recommendations: Client education with focus on avoidance of concurrent use of TM and ARVs should be emphasized by both counsellors and health personnel in health facilities attending to HIV/AIDS patients. The District Health Team should integrate interventions to improve economic status into HIV/AIDS programs and Ministry of Health should put in place guidelines on HIV/AIDS client education that address aspects of TM and ARV concurrent use