Simultaneous use of traditional medicines and ARVs among PLHIV at the Walé center in Ségou from 2022 to 2023

Abstract

ntroduction:The World Health Organization estimates that around two-thirds of AIDS patients in developing countries use traditional herbal medicines. This high use may be due to the accessibility, affordability, availability and acceptability of these medicines. Materials and method: This is a cross-sectional analytical study conducted at the Walé Center in the Segou region of Mali from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022. Data were collected retrospectively through the medical records of 340 patients. Statistical analyses were performedusing R software version 4.2.2.Results:The proportion of simultaneous use of traditional medicines and ARVs was 49%. The sex ratio M/F was 0.9. The median age of patients was 35 years with an IQR [28-42]. Factors associated with concomitant use of both drugs were: to live in a rural area (OR= 2.35, IC95%= [1.44-3.83], p=0.0006), unemployed (OR=1.89, IC95%= [1.10.5-3.27], p=0. 0219), WHO clinical stages III and IV (OR= 2.5, IC95%= [1.4-4.82]], p=0.004) and (OR= 2.6, IC95%= [1.00-6.8],p=0.04), patients with anemia OR= 2.52,IC95% = [1.54-4.12], p=0.0002) patients withelevated viral load (OR= 2.3, IC95%, [1.56-3.80], p= 0.0004), patientsco-infected withhepatitis B (OR= 1.82, IC95%= [0.96-3.45], p=1.8e-09). Conclusion:Simultaneous use of the two treatments was much more concentrated among PHAs living in rural areas and unemployed. Impaired general condition led patients to use traditional medicines while on antiretroviral therapy.