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Experiences with an integrative approach to treating HIV/AIDS in East Africa

Abstract

HIV/AIDS is a multifaceted condition affecting the whole person and family, which requires an individualized and holistic approach, as defined by Person Centered Health Care. In East Africa, Homoeopathy for Health in Africa offers patients an integrative, holistic method to supplement standard medical treatment and mitigate the side effects of anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs that often interfere with patient adherence to treatment and lead to drug resistance. Patients who have homoeopathy treatment as a supplement to ARVs report amelioration of side effect symptoms, increased energy and enhanced well-being, allowing them to work and care for their families. Results of an audit give demographic information. AIDS medical practitioners support homoeopathy, an approved form of medicine in Tanzania. Cases are presented that demonstrate the challenges and successes of treating HIV/AIDS patients in East Africa.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Camilla Sherr, co-director of HHA, for contributing cases; Naomi Jones, HHA Volunteer, for a first draft; Uri Eliyahu for statistics; and Alexander Tournier, Homeopathy Research Institute, for reviewing statistics.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

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Correspondence to Tina Quirk.

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Quirk, T., Sherr, J. Experiences with an integrative approach to treating HIV/AIDS in East Africa. J Med Pers 13, 55–64 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12682-014-0193-2

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Keywords

  • HIV/AIDS
  • ARV
  • Homoeopathy
  • Integrative medicine
  • Holistic
  • Anti-retroviral drugs
  • Drug side effects
  • Patient adherence
  • Person Centered Health Care
  • Nano-dilutions