| Multivitamin mineral (MV/MM) supplementation may play an important role in disease progression in people living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and/or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). This study was designed to examine the relationship between MV/MM supplement use and indicators of HIV disease progression among Triangle AIDS Network (TAN) clients in Southeast Texas. A secondary purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with MV/MM supplement use, as well as barriers to using MV/MM supplements.;Volunteers completed a questionnaire developed by the researcher during regular scheduled visits at the TAN clinic. Eighty clients were invited to participate in the survey and 37 respondents successfully completed the questionnaire. Laboratory data were obtained from each client's medical record.;The sample was diverse in regard to gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and age. The sample was 62.2% male (n = 23), 32.4% female (n = 12), and 5.4% identified themselves as transgender ( n = 2). Ethnicity of the sample was 40.5% black (n = 15), 40.5% white (n =15), and 19% identified themselves as other (n = 7). Sexual orientation of the sample consisted of 45.9% heterosexual (n =17), 32.4% homosexual ( n = 12), 13.5% bisexual (n = 5), and 8.1% declined to disclose their sexual orientation (n = 3). The majority were at least high school graduates or equivalent. Fewer than half ( n = 22; 59%) of the sample reported using MV/MM supplements. Demographic characteristics were unrelated to MV/MM supplement use. Use was unrelated to indicators of disease progression: CD4 count change (p = .335), and viral load change (p = .767). Barriers to MV/MM supplement use included pill burden, expense, and difficulty remembering. The majority (73%) of non-users indicated they would take a supplement if they understood its importance to their health. Less than one-fourth of the sample understood the implications of CD4 count and viral load. Future research should focus on the effects of educational intervention on MV/MM supplement use. |
