Persons living with HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy also consulting traditional healers: a study in three African countries
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International journal of STD & AIDS
Abstract
Traditional healers provide healthcare to a substantial proportion of people living with HIV infection (PLHIV) in high HIV
burden countries in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the impact on the health of retained patients visiting traditional healers
is unknown. In 2011, a study to asses adherence to anti-retroviral therapy (ART) performed in 18 purposefully selected
HIV treatment centers in Tanzania, Zambia and Uganda showed that ‘consulting a traditional healer/herbalist because of
HIV’ was an independent risk factor for incomplete ART adherence. To identify characteristics of PLHIV on ART who
were also consulting traditional healers, we conducted a secondary analysis of the data from this study. It was found that
260 (5.8%) of the 4451 patients enrolled in the study had consulted a traditional healer during the last three months
because of HIV. In multivariable analysis, patients with fewer HIV symptoms, those who had been on ART for >5.3 years
and those from Tanzania were more likely to have consulted a traditional healer. However, at the time of the study, there
was a famous healer in Manyara district, Loliondo village of Tanzania who claimed his herbal remedy was able to cure all
chronic diseases including HIV. HIV treatment programs should be aware that patients with fewer HIV symptoms, those
who have been on ART for five or more years, and patients attending ART centers near famous traditional healers are
likely to consult traditional healers. Such patients may need more support or counseling about the risks of both stopping
ART and poor adherence. Considering the realities of inadequate human resources for health and the burden of disease
caused by HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, facilitating a collaboration between allopathic and traditional health practitioners is
recommended.
Description
Keywords
HIV, antiretroviral therapy, traditional healers, adherence, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia
Citation
Wanyama, J. N., Tsui, S., Kwok, C., Wanyenze, R. K., Denison, J. A., Koole, O., ... & Colebunders, R. (2017). Persons living with HIV infection on antiretroviral therapy also consulting traditional healers: a study in three African countries. International journal of STD & AIDS, 28(10), 1018-1027.0.1177/0956462416685890