Table 3 Reasons and dosage for herbal medicine use among patients on HAART at TASO Uganda, during 2008
Variable | Frequency (N = 135) | Percent |
|---|---|---|
*** Reasons for herbal use | ||
Constant Fever | 91 | 67.4 |
Too much Cough | 88 | 65.2 |
General pain of HIV | 71 | 52.6 |
Itchy skin | 58 | 43.0 |
Others | 58 | 43.0 |
To gain Energy | 52 | 38.5 |
Was Anemic | 39 | 28.9 |
Always fall sick | 39 | 28.9 |
Low immunity | 19 | 14.1 |
Loss/gain Appetite | 18 | 13.3 |
Diarrhea | 16 | 11.9 |
Too much sweat | 11 | 8.1 |
Herbal dosage per day | ||
Half to one cup/glass | 128 | 94.8 |
One to two spoons | 60 | 44.4 |
No measurements | 17 | 12.6 |
Where herbs were got from | ||
Herbalist | 54 | 40 |
Garden | 63 | 46.7 |
Friends/relatives | 14 | 10.4 |
Pharmacy | 4 | 7 |
**Experienced improvement with use of herbs | ||
Yes | 130 | 96.3 |
Cannot tell | 5 | 3.7 |
Decision of herbal use | ||
Friends | 71 | 52.6 |
Parents/Relatives | 38 | 28.1 |
Own decision/No one | 26 | 19.3 |
Patient's belief/perception of usefulness of ARVS | ||
ARVs not yet helpful | 35 | 25.9 |
ARVs helpful | 100 | 74.1 |