Abstract
To assess the usage, knowledge and attitudes of Patients Living with HIV with respect to supplements. A questionnaire was mailed to people living with HIV via HIV/AIDS organizations in Ontario and distributed to those attending the HIV-clinic of the University Health Network. The survey was completed by 312 subjects (95 female, 207 male). Self-rated health status was considered fair/good in 77.5% and excellent in 15.4% of participants. Vitamin/mineral supplement was used by 75.6%. Main reasons to take supplements were to: prolong life (56.1%); treat HIV-related conditions (19.9%); increase energy level (42.6%) and to boost immunity (36.5%). Among participants, 54.2% were somewhat familiar with supplements, 44.7% trusted the information on the labels and 28.2% felt that if a supplement is available for sale, it is safe. Supplements were mostly purchased at pharmacies (45.5%) and health food stores (30.1%). Only 25.9% and 27.9% of participants discussed their use of supplements with their HIV or family doctor respectively. Supplements are frequently used by people living with HIV without consulting their doctors. Current research has not shown a clear benefit from micronutrient supplementation and with the possible potential drug interactions, people living with HIV will need nutrition education regarding supplement usage and should report their use to their physicians.
Keywords: Micronutrients/kwd, >, HIV, Vitamins, Supplements
Current HIV Research
Title: A Survey on the Usage of Supplements in Canadian Patients Living with HIV
Volume: 7 Issue: 5
Author(s): Elaheh Aghdassi, Helena Bondar, Irving E. Salit, Jill Tinmouth and Johane P. Allard
Affiliation:
Keywords: Micronutrients/kwd, >, HIV, Vitamins, Supplements
Abstract: To assess the usage, knowledge and attitudes of Patients Living with HIV with respect to supplements. A questionnaire was mailed to people living with HIV via HIV/AIDS organizations in Ontario and distributed to those attending the HIV-clinic of the University Health Network. The survey was completed by 312 subjects (95 female, 207 male). Self-rated health status was considered fair/good in 77.5% and excellent in 15.4% of participants. Vitamin/mineral supplement was used by 75.6%. Main reasons to take supplements were to: prolong life (56.1%); treat HIV-related conditions (19.9%); increase energy level (42.6%) and to boost immunity (36.5%). Among participants, 54.2% were somewhat familiar with supplements, 44.7% trusted the information on the labels and 28.2% felt that if a supplement is available for sale, it is safe. Supplements were mostly purchased at pharmacies (45.5%) and health food stores (30.1%). Only 25.9% and 27.9% of participants discussed their use of supplements with their HIV or family doctor respectively. Supplements are frequently used by people living with HIV without consulting their doctors. Current research has not shown a clear benefit from micronutrient supplementation and with the possible potential drug interactions, people living with HIV will need nutrition education regarding supplement usage and should report their use to their physicians.
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Cite this article as:
Aghdassi Elaheh, Bondar Helena, Salit E. Irving, Tinmouth Jill and Allard P. Johane, A Survey on the Usage of Supplements in Canadian Patients Living with HIV, Current HIV Research 2009; 7 (5) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016209789346200
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157016209789346200 |
Print ISSN 1570-162X |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-4251 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Management of HIV: Management of HIV: old challenges and new needs
The aim of this thematic issue is to provide the most recent updates regarding the effective management of HIV infection. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly decreased HIV-related mortality, leading to an enhancement in the quality of life and life expectancy for people living with HIV (PLWH). Despite the numerous advancements ...read more
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