Abstract
M.Tech.
HIV/AIDS is one of the greatest and still unresolved challenges facing the world today (Giese, 2002). The UNAIDS (2004) Reports, 38 million people are infected globally with HIV/AIDS. One of the most devastating impacts of HIV/AIDS is the effect on children. Over 5 million infants have been infected with HIV/AIDS since the beginning of the epidemic and 90% of these cases are in Africa (Osborne, 2002).
The aim of the study was to determine the effect of a combination of four homoeopathically prepared growth factors, compounded and named Cell Signal Enhancers®, on CD4% and CD4+ cell count, growth parameters such as weight, height and head circumference and clinical outcomes in children with HIV/AIDS.
A sample of thirty-one (n=31) HIV positive children between one to thirteen years of age was recruited. Twenty-five (n=25) participants completed the trial. The participants were recruited from an informal squatter area called Finetown, situated south of Johannesburg. The parents or legal guardian of each participant were required to read and sign a Patient Information and Consent form (Appendix A). The duration of the study was fourteen weeks. Each participant acted as his/her own control in a two week pre-treament period. Analysis of CD4% and CD4+ cell count, measurements of growth parameters that included weight, height and head circumference and evaluation of the clinical outcomes were conducted pre-treatment, during treatment and post treatment. The school principal and daily caregiver administered the homoeopathic growth factor medication to each participant. One tablet was given three times a day, for a twelve week period. Statistical models such as a paired t-test, one-sample t-test and linear regression were used to analyse the data.
The resultant analyses of the data have provided the following conclusions. HoGF treatment improved immune function of the participants, as there were increases in CD4% and CD4+ cell counts and an overall decrease in frequency of HIV symptoms. HoGF intervention reversed growth failure. This was demonstrated with increases in weight, height and head circumference that resulted in a form of “catch up” growth. When compared to published data trends of age-matched subjects using ART, HoGF demonstrated more favourable effects in the CD4%, CD4+ cell counts and growth parameters in a twelve week period. HoGF treatment was effective in each stage of HIV/AIDS; namely the asymptomatic, symptomatic and AIDS group.
HoGF has proven to be effective in treating HIV infected children living with limited resources. It showed a 52% positive result as statistically significant versus a 5% prediction by random chance. Statistical significance was detected in the following; height, head circumference, energy, strength, vomiting, lymphadenopathy, skin lesions, respiratory tract infection, sinus tenderness and throat infection. There were no reported signs of adverse side effects while on HoGF treatment.
The results of this study are expected to initiate further, much needed research in the area of HIV/AIDS and homoeopathy in both children and adults. It is recommended that future studies include a control group with placebo for inter-group comparisons. HoGF treatment can be seen as a possible public health option for treating HIV/AIDS in South Africa.