Prevalence and patterns of Moringa oleifera use among HIV positive patients in Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional survey (original) (raw)

Original Research

Prevalence and patterns of Moringa oleifera use among HIV positive patients in Zimbabwe: A cross-sectional survey

About the author(s)

Tsitsi G. Monera, University of Zimbabwe School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe
Charles C. Maponga, University of Zimbabwe School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, Harare, Zimbabwe; and, Department of Pharmacy Practice, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, New York State University at Buffalo, Buffalo, United States

Abstract

Supplementation of conventional medicines with herbs is increasing globally, including among people infected with HIV. Yet there is little data systematically describing the prevalence and patterns of this supplementation and on which counseling scripts can be based. Moringa oleifera is an herb found in the tropics and sub-tropics commonly used for medicinal and nutritional purposes. This survey determined the prevalence and patterns of use of M. oleifera among HIV positive patients. The study was a cross-sectional survey. HIV-infected adults were enrolled from an opportunistic infections clinic of a referral hospital. Using a previously piloted researcher administered questionnaire; patients who reported to the clinic over three months were interviewed about their use of herbal medicines. The focus was on M. oleifera use, and included plant part, dosage, prescribers and the associated medical conditions. Sixty-eight percent (68%) of the study participants consumed M. oleifera. Of these, 81% had commenced antiretroviral drugs. Friends or relatives were the most common source of a recommendation for use of the herb (69%). Most (80%) consumed M. oleifera to boost the immune system. The leaf powder was mainly used, either alone or in combination with the root and/or bark. M. oleifera supplementation is common among HIV positive people. Because it is frequently prescribed by non-professionals and taken concomitantly with conventional medicine, it poses a potential risk for herb-drug interactions. Further experimental investigations into its effect on drug metabolism and transport would be useful in improving clinical outcome of HIV positive patients.

Keywords

Moringa oleifera; HIV; herb; interaction; complementary

Metrics

Total abstract views: 87
Total article views: 16

Crossref Citations

1. Two decades (1998 to 2018) of collaborative human immunodeficiency virus clinical pharmacology capacity building in a resource constrained setting
Charles C. Maponga, Tsitsi G. Monera-Penduka, Takudzwa J. Mtisi, Robin Difrancesco, Faithful Makita-Chingombe, Fine Mazambara, Kathleen Tooley, Tinashe Mudzviti, Gene D. Morse
Cost Effectiveness and Resource Allocation vol: 19 issue: 1 year: 2021
doi: 10.1186/s12962-021-00327-y