title: The impact of herbal remedies on adverse effects and quality of life in HIV-infected individuals on antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Use of herbal remedies among HIV-infected individuals in Africa increased in the past decade, mainly due to traditional beliefs and at times inconsistent access to antiretroviral drugs. In Zimbabwe, accessibility and availability of antiretroviral drugs has increased in recent years; however, the use of herbal remedies remains high. This study was conducted to determine the impact of concomitant use of herbal remedies with antiretroviral drugs on adverse events and on quality of life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenient sample of HIV positive patients at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals' Family Care Clinic (Harare, Zimbabwe) was enrolled. A questionnaire was used to collect data on the adverse event experiences of the patients using herbal remedies for their HIV, as well as the types of herbal remedy used. Quality of life index was measured using an HIV/AIDS targeted quality of life (HAT-QOL) tool developed by the World Health Organization.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abdominal pain (odds ratio = 2.7, p-value = 0.01) and rash (odds ratio = 2.5, p-value = 0.02) had significant associations with using herbal remedies during antiretroviral therapy. Improved quality of life index was not significantly associated with herbal remedy use during antiretroviral therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence to suggest that some traditional herbal remedies used in Zimbabwe may increase incidence of certain types of adverse events when used in combination with antiretroviral drugs. Use of herbal drugs in combination with antiretroviral therapy does not significantly improve quality of life index in comparison to antiretroviral drug use only.
authors.affiliation: School of Pharmacy, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe. ngbepe@gmail.com
authors.forename: Nyashadzashe
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bepe
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Madanhi
authors.forename: Tinashe
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mudzviti
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gavi
authors.forename: Charles C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Maponga
authors.forename: Gene D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Morse
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000349:Africa; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents