The Effect of Ant Plant on the Increase of CD4 Count in PLHIV in the Papua Province
The ant plant (Myrmecodia pendans), an epiphyte of Hydnophytinae (Rubiceae), has long been used for traditional medication. This research aimed to examine the effect of ant plant on the increase of CD4 count in PLHIV in Papua Province and to identify the effect of ant plan supplementation on the increase of CD4 in PLHIV. The research used true experimental design with modified randomized control group pretest-posttest design. The pretest was performed by conducting a preliminary count of CD4 in both the intervention and control groups, to which ART has been administered. The intervention group was supplemented with the ant plant on a daily basis, while the control group was given a placebo treatment with tea. Based on the results, it can be concluded that PLHIV given ant plant supplementation may have a higher increase in their CD4 count after receiving an intervention for one month than those who only received ART. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of the ant plant on the viral load in PLHIV.