Objectives To measure the frequency of
herbal medicine use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Palestine; to
determine demographic characteristics that may increase the likelihood of
Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) use and to find out how benefits,
if any, were perceived by patients.
Method Cross-sectional survey of
patients attending the outpatient diabetes departments at 7 Governmental
Hospitals. The method was based on semi-structured questionnaires.
Results A
total of 1883 patients with diabetes were interviewed. Of the participants,
51.9% (n = 977) reported taking herbs primarily bought from
Palestine (98%) and used in crude form mainly as decoctions (44.1%). The five
most common herbal products used were: Trigonella berythea (Fabaceae) (n = 191,
19.6%), Rosmarinus officinalis (Lamiaceae) (n = 132,
13.5%), Olea europaea (Oleaceae) (n = 131, 13.4%), Teucrium
capitatum (Lamiaceae) (n = 111, 11.4%), and Cinnamomum
zeylanicum (Lauraceae) (n = 105, 10.8%). Most CAM users
were above 40 years old 79.6% (n = 778), predominantly female
(53.2%) and residents of refugee camps and rural areas (59.3, and 53.5,
respectively). The recommendations of a family member or friend was the main
factor prompting the use of CAM (40.2 and 37.1%). Most CAM users (71.7%) were
satisfied with the perceived effects. Interestingly, 68% of patients recruited
in the study did not disclose CAM use to their physicians or pharmacists.
Conclusion
Use of herbal therapies in diabetes is highly prevalent in Palestine. More
than 70% of those using CAM (977, 51.9%) reported positive benefits including a
feeling of slowing down disease progression, symptom relief, disease resolution
or a reduction in the side effects of allopathic medication. Use of CAM should
be explored with patients before clinical decisions are made. There is a need
for health education relating to herbal use in conjunction with conventional
medicines in diabetes.
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Complementary_and_Alternative_Medicine_Use_amongst_Palestinian_Diabetic_Patients.pdf | 193.72 KB |