Use of alternative medicine for hypertension in Buikwe and Mukono districts of Uganda: a cross sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundUse of alternative medicine for chronic diseases such as hypertension is common in low as well as high income countries. This study estimated the proportion of people who were aware of their hypertension that use alternative medicine and identified factors predicting the use of alternative medicine.MethodsIn a community based cross sectional survey among people ≥ 15 years in Buikwe and Mukono districts of Uganda 258 people aware of their hypertension were questioned about use of alternative medicine for hypertension, advice about uptake of life style intervention for hypertension control such as reduction of salt intake and about their attitude towards use of alternative medicine. Proportions of people who used alternative medicine and adopt life style interventions and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. Predictors of using alternative medicine were identified using logistic binary regression analysis.ResultsMore than a half 144 (56.2%) had ever used alternative medicine whereas more than one in four 74 (28.6%) were currently using alternative medicine alone or in combination with modern medicine (50%). People who were using alternative medicine alone (29.7% CI 17.5-45.9) were less likely to have received advice on reduction of salt intake compared to those using modern medicine alone or in combination with traditional medicine (56.6%, CI 47.7-65.0). The only independent predictor for using alternative medicine was agreeing that alternative medicine is effective for treatment of hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.6; 95% CI 1.40-4.82).ConclusionThe use of alternative medicine was common among patients with hypertension and usage was underpinned by the belief that alternative medicine is effective. As patients with hypertension use alternative medicine and modern medicine concurrently, there is need for open communication between health workers and patients regarding use of alternative medicine.

Prevalence and determinants of use of complementary and alternative medicine by hypertensive patients attending primary health care facilities in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a cross-sectional study

“…The proportion of the use of CAM found in this study 26.1% (95% CI 20.7%-31.8%) is similar to that found by previous studies conducted in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) [20, 21]. …”

Use of complementary and alternative medicines: a cross-sectional study among hypertensive patients in Iraq

“…A pretested and validated questionnaire was used for data collection. Questions were adopted according to NCCIH researches and developed through extensive reading of previous literatures . The tool covered four main domains: (1) The demographic information of respondents; (2) Patients' use of CAM and the product used; (3) Patients' behaviour in seeking CAM including reasons, recommendations and expenditure; and (4) Perceptions of adverse effects that may accompany the use of CAM.…”

“…Researchers noted that treatment with traditional therapies, particularly herbals, has evolved through ages depending on religions, social beliefs and cultural structure of various societies around the world . Some previous studies have shown an increased prevalence of using herbals and other CAM modalities among hypertensive patients in developing countries as a way of self‐care . These have identified the simultaneous use of CAM products alongside the standard treatment of hypertension.…”

“…[5][6][7][8] Some previous studies have shown an increased prevalence of using herbals and other CAM modalities among hypertensive patients in developing countries as a way of self-care. [9][10][11] These have identified the simultaneous use of CAM products alongside the standard treatment of hypertension. Further, they examined the influence of demographic features on patients' use of CAM.…”

Integrative Health Services in School Health Clinics

“…Alternative treatment modalities such as acupuncture and aromatherapy have been used since the third millennium BC. Other more modern interpretations of CAM, such as lifestyle interventions, (Nuwaha & Musinguzi, 2013) are able to provide considerable relief to patients; however, until recently, holistic therapies were not considered appropriate treatment choices due to a paucity of research to support their use. But, more recent medical literature includes a growing body of evidence that validates the efficacy and safety profile of numerous integrative therapies and the popularity of CAM continues to grow.…”