A qualitative exploration of the homoeopathic remedies indicated for the reaction to an HIV positive diagnosis

Abstract

Introduction HIV is a virus that proliferates via certain body fluids (blood, semen and pre-seminal fluid, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids and breast milk) and attacks the white blood cells in the body’s immune system, called CD4 cells (or T-helper cells). There are a number of studies that have been conducted on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) related to HIV. This study focused on the emotional response of an HIV positive diagnosis on patients. This study sought to determine these responses. The overall wellbeing of a person from a physical, emotional and mental point of view is of utmost importance. A person needs to be emotionally and physically well so that they can live longer. A holistic approach to an HIV diagnosis enables all the spheres of existence to be in coherence, which then impacts on a good life expectancy. Aim of the study The aim of the study was to determine the emotional responses of patients to their HIV positive diagnosis and explore the potential homoeopathic remedies indicated for this. Methodology The study followed a qualitative explorative design. This type of design is used to define the problem or by developing an approach to the problem. It is also used to go deeper into issues of interest and explore the subtle differences in connection to the problem at hand (Mora 2010). Purposive sampling is used and 20 participants were recruited for this study. Of the 20 participants, 12 completed the study and eight dropped out. The data was collected and analysed using the thematic analysis procedure. Results The findings from the study showed that the majority of participants had a fear of dying as a major concern arising from their status. Furthermore, the qualitative results showed that participants went through denial, emotional shock and pain, amongst other emotions. when they were initially informed about their status. It emerged that participants were optimistic going forward due to the later acquired knowledge about HIV. However, in spite of the availability of ARV’s, participants wanted a wider variety of treatment modalities in addition to the tablet mode of administration. The results of rubric selection and repertorisation showed that Calcarea carbonica, Ignatia amara, Natrum muriaticum, Phosphoricum acidum, Gelsemium sempervirens, Pulsatilla pratensis, Arnica montana and Nux vomica were the remedies most frequently indicated for the presented emotional responses. Conclusion The prominent themes of the study strongly suggest that participants are greatly affected emotionally at the time they first find out about their status. It also emerged that there were lifestyle changes and adjustments that the participants had to make as a result of their positive diagnosis. It was established that participants showed regrets regarding unprotected sex which led to their infection and diagnosis. Based on the results, the researcher recommends that there is a need for integration of homoeopathy into the primary healthcare system because of its holistic approach to treatment. This is more especially towards the emotional aspect that the research sought to investigate. Significantly, the integration of homoeopathy will provide a wider variety options to management of patients and reduce the workload in the government clinics.