title: HIV/AIDS: Traditional systems of health care in the management of a global epidemic.
abstract: Cultural preference and the high cost and unavailability of anti-HIV drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS in the developing world leads many to turn to traditional (indigenous) medicine to manage HIV-related illness. Traditional health practitioners can play an important role in delivering an AIDS prevention message and some may be able to offer treatment for opportunistic infections. In industrialized countries, approximately half or more of those with AIDS use complementary medicines in conjunction with their antiretroviral therapy. A growing body of research highlights the immunomodulatory and antiviral potential of plant-based medicines. There are also concerns about unsafe practices and a growth in claims of traditional cures for AIDS. Partnerships between the modern and traditional/complementary health sectors in research, policy, and practice are essential in building comprehensive HIV/AIDS control strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. gerry.bodeker@green.oxford.ac.uk
authors.forename: Gerard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bodeker
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: Gemma
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Burford
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dvorak-Little
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D014943:Global Health; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D010936:Plant Extracts