The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults Hiv Patients in Esut Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu

The Use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Adults Hiv Patients in Esut Teaching Hospital, Parklane Enugu Eloka, Ifeyinwa Ngozi Since the first case of HIV/AIDS was reported in Nigeria in 1986, HIV/AIDS has continued to penetrate the fabrics of all sectors of the Nigerian population and the complex health and social issues associated with living with HIV has made the people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) to often turned to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to compliment their management with antiretroviral therapy (ART). This study was to explore the prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use among HIV/AIDS patients attending clinic in ESUT Teaching Hospital Park lane Enugu. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out using the self-administered questionnaire. A random sampling probability sampling method was used and the questionnaire was distributed to 203 HIV/AIDS patients attending clinic in ESUT Teaching Hospital Park lane Enugu. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Almost half of the people living with HIV/AIDS used complementary and alternative medicine(49.8) while the three most popular types of CAM used were faith healing/prayer house healing 36(35.64%), moringa 26(25.74%) and vitamin mineral product supplement 13(12.87%). The most popular reason for CAM use was keeping with your inner self/believe 47(32.41%). Under gender, females have the most consumption rate of CAM 73(46.2%). The age range 30-39 with 24(48.97%) mostly use CAM. Respondents with less than N10,000 income used CAM mostly 20(21.78%) while secondary school students consumed CAM mostly 20(21.05%) under education. Christians use CAM more than any other religion 48(24.4%). In conclusion, more awareness should be created among secondary students so that they should not leave their HIV drugs in place of complementary and alternative medicine.