Abstract
Background: In recent years, hypertension has developed into a global health concern as the number of deaths from it has been on the increase across the world. Health provision in Jordan like other developing nations is poor compared to countries like the United Kingdom (UK) and US. However, concurrent use of conventional medication and the supplements and traditional herbs can impact on the treatment of hypertension. In this regards, it was significant to conduct this study to find out the prevalence of supplements and traditional herbs usage among hypertensive patients in Jordan so as to understand the associated factors and create awareness on the magnitude so that appropriate advice can be given to patients and thus improve health of populations. Material and Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional study design in undertaking the research. A total of 208 hypertension patients aged 16 years and above were used as the sample. Purposive and convenient sampling was applied in the selection of the Om elamad health centre in Jordan because it has a population of the catchment Centre. Data analysis was carried out using various techniques SPSS version21and excel. Results: The key findings of the study were as follows: Hypertension was prevalent among the elderly, herbs had no effect on the blood pressure, conventional drugs were more potent in comparison to herbs and/or supplements. Combining antihypertensive drugs and herbs was found to be potent than taking antihypertensive drugs only(P-value=0.0050) in SBP, and (P-value=0.0001) in DPB. Influences on herbs use came from the patients' families/relatives as they were found to be the most knowledgeable sources of medicinal herbs. Conclusion: From the study, it was deduced that the use of herbal medicines and supplements as well as antihypertensive drugs was prevalent among hypertensive patients in Jordan. Over half of the patients involved in this study were taking herbs to treat their blood pressure diseases (51. 4 %). It was also deduced that a combined usage of herbal medicine and supplements with antihypertensive drugs was far more potent than using antihypertensive drugs only.
Highlights
Hypertension has become a health concern worldwide in the recent two decades since it has become the leading risk factor in terms of disease burden globally.1 According to the latest World Health Organization, data published in May 2014 Hypertension Deaths in Jordan reached 1,117 or 4.85% of total deaths.2 Control of blood pressure is suboptimal and only about 40% of patients suffering from hypertension manage to reach the target blood pressure level of 120/80mm Hg and below.Hypertension defined as diastolic BP above 80mm Hg or systolic BP above 120mm Hg.3 Treatment normally involve the use of antihypertensive medications, almost half of people diagnosed with hypertension do not seek right medication to control it
From the study, it was deduced that the use of herbal medicines and supplements as well as antihypertensive drugs was prevalent among hypertensive patients in Jordan
In terms of educational level, we find that the highest proportion of the sample of the secondary education by (41.3%), and in the second degree was the proportion of students with a bachelor's degree (22.1%), came the proportion of non-educated (21.6%)
Summary
Hypertension has become a health concern worldwide in the recent two decades since it has become the leading risk factor in terms of disease burden globally. According to the latest World Health Organization, data published in May 2014 Hypertension Deaths in Jordan reached 1,117 or 4.85% of total deaths. Control of blood pressure is suboptimal and only about 40% of patients suffering from hypertension manage to reach the target blood pressure level of 120/80mm Hg and below.Hypertension defined as diastolic BP above 80mm Hg or systolic BP above 120mm Hg. Treatment normally involve the use of antihypertensive medications, almost half of people diagnosed with hypertension do not seek right medication to control it. Concurrent use of conventional medication and the supplements and traditional herbs can impact on the treatment of hypertension. In this regards, it was significant to conduct this study to find out the prevalence of supplements and traditional herbs usage among hypertensive patients in Jordan so as to understand the associated factors and create awareness on the magnitude so that appropriate advice can be given to patients and improve health of populations. Conclusion: From the study, it was deduced that the use of herbal medicines and supplements as well as antihypertensive drugs was prevalent among hypertensive patients in Jordan.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
