Abstract
M.Tech.
The worldwide dissemination of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) over the past four decades has entered our consciousness as one of the most catastrophic examples of the emergence, transmission and propagation of a virus (Department of Health, 2000; Stebbing et al., 2004). Globally, an estimated 40.3 million people are living with the virus. In 2005 alone, the World Health Organisation estimated that there were close to five million new HIV infections worldwide (UNAIDS/WHO, 2005).
Southern Africa is experiencing an HIV/AIDS epidemic of shattering dimensions and, unfortunately, shows little evidence of possible future declines in HIV prevalence. It remains by far the worst-affected region, with 25.8 million people infected at the end of 2005. Of these infected, only one in ten Africans were receiving anti-retroviral treatment (ART) in mid-2005 (Dorrington et al., 2001; UNAIDS/WHO, 2005).
Since South Africa carries the biggest global burden of HIV, it is difficult to provide and sustain treatment for all individuals infected with HIV (Department of Health, 2004b). Previous research on the efficacy of homoeopathic treatment in HIV has been done by Brewitt et al (1999) and Da Silva et al (2005) with beneficial results.
The aim of this study was to determine the effect of homoeopathic growth factors (HoGF’s) on CD4 cell count, measurements such as weight and body mass index (BMI), symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, and quality of life of participants living with HIV.
The research was conducted on a sample of twenty five participants (n=25) drawn from a population of persons from eighteen to sixty years of age. Twenty two participants (n=22) completed the research. Participants were recruited from the Inkanyezi ARV Clinic, situated in an informal settlement in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, South Africa. The recruited participants were requested to read and sign the Participant Information and Consent form (Appendix A) providing them with the necessary information regarding the research. The duration of the clinical trial was thirteen weeks. Analysis of CD4 cell count, measurements of weight and body mass index (BMI) and symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS were conducted at day 1, week 5, week 9 and week 13. A quality of life questionnaire was conducted and analysed at day 1 and week 13. The HoGF medication was administered to each participant, who received sufficient medication until the next follow up consultation. This allowed the researcher to monitor patient compliance. One tablet was given three times a day, for a thirteen-week period. The participants were instructed to suck or chew the pleasant tasting, white tablet. The statistical models such as the repeated measures ANOVA analysis test, the non-parametric Wilcoxon test and the McNemar test were used to statistically analyse the data.
The resultant analyses of the data have provided the following conclusions. HoGF treatment did not improve overall immune function of the participants, as there was a decrease in the average CD4 cell count of the HIV infected adults over the 13 week period. HoGF was effective in increasing immune functionality of the major symptomatic group but did not show improved immune functionality in the asymptomatic or minor symptomatic groups. There was, however, an overall decrease in the occurrence of the common symptoms of HIV seen in the entire sample group and HoGF intervention stabilised weight and BMI over the trial period. HoGF treatment also demonstrated an improvement in the quality of life of the participants. There were no reported signs of adverse side effects while on HoGF treatment.
The results of this study are expected to initiate further research in the area of homoeopathy and HIV/AIDS. It is recommended that future studies include a control group with placebo for inter-group comparisons. This HoGF treatment can therefore be seen as a possible complementary treatment option for treating the common symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS in the absence of ART, and maintaining wellness in HIV patients.
Dr. R. Razlog
Dr. M. Da Silva