Access to treatment and care associated with HIV infection among members of AIDS support groups in Thailand.
To examine the types and distributions of treatment received among persons living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHAs) in Thailand, we analyzed data collected during 2000 from 412 members of PLWHA support organizations in Bangkok and three upcountry northern provinces. Most (74%) of the respondents report ever receiving modern medical care for their HIV-related symptoms; 31% report ever using herbal treatments. Small proportions of those experiencing severe symptoms related to activity limitations report treatments with anti-retroviral medication, treatment for opportunistic infections or treatment for pain. Multivariate analysis suggests that the government's health card system plays an important role in keeping treatment costs down for PLWHAs and their families, that being open about one's HIV status to one's community is positively associated with receiving modern treatment for HIV-related ailments, that being female is negatively associated with receiving modern treatment and that living upcountry (as opposed to living in Bangkok) is associated with using herbal remedies. Policy implications of the findings are discussed.
Vanlandingham
M
M
Department of International Health and Development, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. mvanlan@tulane.edu
Im-Em
W
W
Yokota
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics* / Q000458:organization & administration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D013785:Thailand; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents