[Use of complimentary medical therapies in HIV/AIDS in Switzerland]

The aim of the present survey was to evaluate the incidence and spectrum of complementary therapies among HIV-infected persons in Switzerland. Under the auspices of the SATG (Swiss Aids Treatment Group), a 13-page questionnaire was created to gather data on socio-demographics, stage of HIV infection, current regimes on opportunistic infections and antiretroviral medication, current and past use of complementary treatments, and reasons for choosing and terminating complementary therapies. Approximately 640 questionnaires in French and German were distributed among HIV-infected subjects. Distributing organizations were People with Aids (P.W.A.), the University Hospital Zurich and the regional "Aids-Hilfe" institutions. With 129 questionnaires returned, the feedback was about 20%. More than 80% of participants used at least one complementary therapy. Each person currently used four therapies (median) from a spectrum of more than 60 specific complementary treatments. The following treatments were used by more than 25% of respondents: vitamins, special diets, food supplements, physical exercise, meditation, phytotherapy, homeopathy, and psychotherapy. 47% of participants took either antiretroviral medication, prophylaxis against opportunistic infections, or both.