Complementary approaches to healthcare: Diverse perspectives among people living with HIV/AIDS

People living with HIV are increasingly turning to complementary approaches to manage their health. This article examines the ways in which social background-sexual identity, ethnocultural background, gender, and a history of addictions-influences why people with HIV/AIDS use complementary therapies. We draw on indepth interviews with a diverse sample of people with HIV/AIDS to understand their perspectives on Western medicine and the use of complementary therapies. We argue that research on complementary therapy use needs to include an understanding of who these users are, and their social backgrounds, experiences and circumstances. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for service delivery and policy.