141st APHA Annual Meeting

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285136
Beliefs about complementary and alternative medicine in HIV-infected black women using the theory of planned behavior

Sunday, November 3, 2013

Stephanie Lino-Rodgers, DrPH(c), MPH, CHES , School of Public Health, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
Susanne Montgomery, PhD, MPH, MS , Behavioral Health Institute, Loma Linda University, Redlands, CA
Background. This study utilized a mixed methods design and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to assess whether HIV-positive Black women's attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control were related to intention to use dietary supplements and spiritual practices in their HIV treatment.

Methods. For phase one, grounded theory methods were used to explore attitudes surrounding complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use. Based on this exploration, we developed and administered a questionnaire that focused on intention to use dietary supplements and spiritual practices for treatment of HIV. HIV medication adherence was also assessed.

Results. The qualitative interviews revealed that participants used CAM to help improve their immune function; respondents believed that God was in control of their HIV health; and lastly, respondents believed that using CAM provided a sense of control over their HIV treatment. For the quantitative phase, 153 Black women completed the questionnaire. Attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control were found to be significant predictors of intention for dietary supplement use, as part of HIV care. However, only attitude and perceived behavioral control were found to be significant independent predictors. For intention to engage in spiritual practices, all TPB related items were found to be significant independent predictors. For HIV medication adherence, a chi-square analysis revealed that there was no significant difference in adherence between users and non-users of dietary supplements.

Conclusion. Implications from this study suggest that health educators should use the TPB to better understand salient beliefs of CAM use among HIV-positive individuals.

Learning Areas:
Other professions or practice related to public health
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
Discuss the common reasons why HIV patients seek complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of HIV; Explain frequency and patterns in use of complementary and alternative medicine for treatment of HIV; Formulate effective intervention strategies based on positive beliefs with complementary and alternative medicine as a way to enhance HIV care

Keywords: Alternative Medicine/Therapies, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been researching HIV/AIDS to last several years because I am passionate about this subject area.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.