No association found between traditional healer use and delayed antiretroviral initiation in rural Uganda
Horwitz, R.H.; Tsai, A.C.; Maling, S.; Bajunirwe, F.; Haberer, J.E.; Emenyonu, N.; Muzoora, C.; Hunt, P.W.; Martin, J.N.; Bangsberg, D.R.
Aids and Behavior 17(1): 260-265
2013
ISSN/ISBN: 1090-7165 PMID: 22246516 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0132-7Document Number: 572255
Traditional healer and/or spiritual counselor (TH/SC) use has been associated with delays in HIV testing. We examined HIV-infected individuals in southwestern Uganda to test the hypothesis that TH/SC use was also associated with lower CD4 counts at antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Approximately 450 individuals initiating ART through an HIV/AIDS clinic at the Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) were recruited to participate. Patients were predominantly female, ranged in age from 18 to 75, and had a median CD4 count of 130. TH/SC use was not associated with lower CD4 cell count, but age and quality-of-life physical health summary score were associated with CD4 cell count at initiation while asset index was negatively associated with CD4 count at ART initiation. These findings suggest that TH/SC use does not delay initiation of ART.
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