Persons living with HIV/AIDS are challenged to manage disease and treatment- related symptoms with provider-directed or client-initiated self-care strategies. The use of complementary and alternative medicine in HIV care has increased significantly in recent years. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to identify CAM therapies used as self-care strategies by persons living with HIV/AIDS to manage lipodystrophy-associated symptoms. Design: Using a cross-sectional, descriptive design, data were obtained regarding types, frequencies, perceived effectiveness and sources of information about the CAM therapies used to self-manage HIV disease and treatment-related symptoms. Population, Sample, Setting: Data were collected from three community-based facilities around the USA; California (n=93), Massachusetts (n=50) and Texas (n=22), for a total of 165 subjects. Variables: This paper explores the correlation of CAM therapies and lipodystrophic symptomatology. Methods: The study sample completed an assessment packet that included sociodemographic data, nine investigator-initiated, open-ended questions designed to explore lipodystrophic manifestations and self-care measures used to manage HIV-related symptoms. Findings: The sample included 165 HIV-infected persons between the ages of 21 and 62 years, with a mean age of 42.12 (+ 8.29). The participants were comprised of 125 (75.8%) males and 40 (24.2%) females. Approximately 39% were Caucasian, 30.9% African American, and 26.7% Hispanic. Formal education ranged from 3-20 years, with a mean of 12.20 (+ 2.45) years. The mean CD4+ was 420.66 cells/mm3 (+ 311.07), and the mean viral load was 45951 (+ 99558). Clients used a large number of CAM therapies, with prayer, spirituality, and meditation being among the most frequently reported. Conclusions: Lipodystrophy is a pervasive problem and the sample reported a number of CAM therapies as self-initiated care strategies. Implications: There is clear evidence in the literature about widespread use of these modalities in HIV-infected persons, but studies to explore reasons for use and efficacy are still needed.
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