The Prevalence and the Predictors of Complementary and Alternative Medicine among Children on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in Makurdi, Nigeria.
Br J Med Med Res
;
2014 Nov; 4(33): 5262-5283
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-175680
ABSTRACT
Aims:
To determine the prevalence, the pattern of usage and the predictors of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) among children on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). StudyDesign:
Prospective, Cross-sectional and quantitative. Place and Duration of Study Paediatric antiretroviral clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria, February 2012 to December 2012.Methodology:
Researchers administered structured questionnaire to 409 (102 men and 307 women) consecutively consented caregivers (CGs) whose children had been on HAART for not less than 6 months in order to fulfill the objectives of the study.Results:
79.2% (324/409) of children used CAM as reported by their CGs. The three most commonly used CAM products were herbal concoctions containing majorly Bitter leaves (317/324, 97.8%), Ugu leaves/roots (282, 87.0%) and Neem tree leaves/bark (270, 83.3%). CGs also largely administered CAM whose contents were unknown (250, 77.2%). The use of Anointed water (255, 78.7%) and Anointed Oil (245, 75.6%) were also common. Animal products including Elephant skin (12, 3.7%), Elephant bone (10, 3.1%) and Snake bone (8, 2.5%) were also acknowledged. Spiritual healing was the most sought-for practice, seen among 252 (77.8%) CGs. 3.7% (12/324) of the CGs had disclosed the use of CAM to their primary physicians. Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the use of CAM by CGs (AOR; 33.79, 95%CI; 8.049-141.856, P=.000); when the child on HAART is of a male gender (AOR; 2.142, 95%CI; 1.230-3.730, P=.007); fathers as CGs compared to mothers (AOR; 1.698, 95%CI;1.180-2.443, P=.004); CGs with no formal education compared to when CG attained a post-secondary level of education (AOR; 1.498, 95%CI; 1.127-1.990, P=.005), remained independently associated with the use of CAM in children.Conclusions:
CAM use is common in Nigerian children on HAART. Concerted efforts should be put in place to encourage disclosure among CGs. Identified harmful CAMs should be discouraged.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Language:
English
Journal:
Br J Med Med Res
Year:
2014
Type:
Article
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