Pattern and Practice of Complimentary and Alternative Medication amongst Patients in a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Attention and interest in the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been reawakened globally. Evidence from studies carried out in different parts of the world has established that CAM use is very common and varies among populations. It has been observed that many adults use different health products or measures under the umbrella of CAM. Reason for use could either be that they are imported or approved by National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), or they are believed to promote health, with little or no knowledge about the compositions, uses and side effects. Alternative medical treatments are believed to be prevalent in the indexed community and environs. However, reliable prevalence rates do not exist because a majority of the studies conducted to evaluate this topic cannot be generalized as they were conducted in other communities with their attendant influencing factors such as culture, religion etcetera. This study has therefore made an attempt to determine the prevalence, pattern, practice and factors associated with use of alternative medication amongst patients presenting at the NnamdiAzikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH).Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern and practice of Complementary and alternative medication amongst patients presenting at the NnamdiAzikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi.Method: This was a Cross-sectional descriptive study. Multi-staged sampling technique was used. Data was collected using interviewer -administered, semi-structured questionnaires. Data was analysed manually, with the aid of a scientific calculator.Results: A total of 128 respondents participated in the study. The mean age was 38.4 years (+ 3.04). 70% of the study population fell into the low income category, 96.1% had some knowledge of CAM remedies with a majority (79.69%) of the study population obtaining their knowledge from friends and peers. The study population had a CAM usage prevalence of 89.9%, with women making up majority of this percentage (48% of the study population). 56.52% of the study population used and were using 1 – 5 different types of CAM remedies with 64% being occasional users, 19% never used again after the first usage, while 17% of the study population were regular users. The most commonly practiced method of CAM was the biological products followed by spiritual therapy and mind body systems. Major reasons for using CAM remedies among the study population include: the need to promote and maintain their health, the availability of CAM remedies and the expensive cost of conventional medicine.Conclusion: Bearing in mind the high prevalence of CAM usage in the index community, there is need for adequate policy formulation and regulation to ensure safety and efficacy of CAM products. Measures to ensure rational use of CAM should be instituted.