title: Non-conventional practices and immune functioning among individuals receiving conventional care for HIV.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  to examine the relationships among non-conventional practices, adherence and immune functioning in individuals with HIV.
  
  
  METHODS
  92 participants completed an interview on non-conventional practices (complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), psychosocial therapies, and religious practice). They also completed the Psychiatric Symptom Index and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group Adherence Follow-up Questionnaire. Medical chart reviews determined CD4 count and viral load.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Hierarchical logistic regressions revealed religious practice was associated with adherence and CAM was associated with viral load.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participation in non-conventional practices in HIV populations may lead to positive health and health behaviors. Clinical implications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, USA. vienna.nightingale@yale.edu
authors.forename: Vienna R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Nightingale
authors.forename: Tamara G
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Sher
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thilges
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Niel
authors.forename: Norma
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Rolfsen
authors.forename: Nathan B
authors.initials: NB
authors.lastname: Hansen
mesh_terms: D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D057566:Self Report; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents