Use of alternative therapists among people in care for HIV in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and attitudinal variables on the use of alternative therapists by people in care for HIV.


METHODS
Bivariate and multivariate analyses of baseline data from the nationally representative HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study were conducted.


RESULTS
Overall, 15.4% had used an alternative therapist, and among users, 53.9% had fewer than 5 visits in the past 6 months. Use was higher for people who were gay/lesbian, had incomes above 40,000 dollars, lived in the Northeast and West, were depressed, and wanted more information about and more decisionmaking involvement in their care. Among users, number of visits was associated with age, education, sexual orientation, insurance status, and CD4 count.


CONCLUSIONS
Among people receiving medical care for HIV, use of complementary care provided by alternative therapists is associated with several sociodemographic, clinical, and attitudinal variables. Evaluation of the coordination of provider-based alternative and standard medical care is needed.
London
Andrew S
AS
Department of Sociology and Center for Policy Research, Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY 13244-1020, USA. aslondon@maxwell.syr.edu
Foote-Ardah
Carrie E
CE
Fleishman
John A
JA
Shapiro
Martin F
MF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000191:economics / Q000628:therapy*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019458:Insurance Coverage; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents