People living with HIV/Aids using traditional medicines together with antiretroviral thearapy in the Manzini Region of Swaziland

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore perceptions of PLWHA towards using traditional medicines (TM) together with antiretroviral therapy (ART). The study was conducted in two ART health facilities in the Manzini Region in Swaziland. Audiotaped individual interviews were conducted to collect data. The study population was PLWHA using TM and ART and were aged 18-49 years. Voice recording was used to capture data during the in-depth interviews until saturation was reached. One grand tour question was asked and follow-up probing questions were asked dependent on participant responses and study objectives. Findings of the study revealed that PLWHA are still searching for a cure, and the preexistence of TM prior to ART is influencing them to combine TM and ART. Several reasons for combining the two treatment modalities were, to boost the immune system, enhancing appetite, to treat opportunistic infections and ART side effects. There was stigma associated with long-life ART and discrimination for using TM experienced by PLWHA. It could benefit the country to repeat the similar research at National level, to include all the four regions, in both rural and urban settings.