Use of dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS is associated with vulnerability to medical misinformation on the internet
SC Kalichman, C Cherry, D White, M Jones… - AIDS research and …, 2012 - Springer
SC Kalichman, C Cherry, D White, M Jones, MO Kalichman, MA Detorio, AM Caliendo…
AIDS research and therapy, 2012•SpringerBackground Use of dietary supplements is common among people living with HIV/AIDS.
Because dietary supplements are used in the context of other health behaviors, they may
have direct and indirect health benefits. However, supplements may also be associated with
vulnerability to medical misinformation and unfounded health claims. We examined use of
dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and the association
between use of dietary supplements and believing medical misinformation. Methods A …
Because dietary supplements are used in the context of other health behaviors, they may
have direct and indirect health benefits. However, supplements may also be associated with
vulnerability to medical misinformation and unfounded health claims. We examined use of
dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and the association
between use of dietary supplements and believing medical misinformation. Methods A …
Background
Use of dietary supplements is common among people living with HIV/AIDS. Because dietary supplements are used in the context of other health behaviors, they may have direct and indirect health benefits. However, supplements may also be associated with vulnerability to medical misinformation and unfounded health claims. We examined use of dietary supplements among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWH) and the association between use of dietary supplements and believing medical misinformation.
Methods
A convenience sample of 268 men and 76 women living with HIV was recruited from AIDS services and clinics in Atlanta, GA. Participants completed measures of demographic and health characteristics, dietary supplement use, beliefs about dietary supplements, internet use, and an internet evaluation task designed to assess vulnerability to medical misinformation.
Results
One out of four PLWH currently used at least one dietary supplement product excluding vitamins. Dietary supplement use was associated with higher education and greater use of the internet for health-related information. Dietary supplement users also endorsed greater believability and trust in unfounded claims for HIV cures.
Conclusions
Dietary supplement use is common among PLWH and is associated with a broad array of health information seeking behaviors. Interventions are needed to reduce the vulnerability of PLWH, particularly dietary supplement users, to medical misinformation propagated on the internet.
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