PRM141 - A QUALITATIVE EXPLORATION OF MALAYSIAN THALASSEMIA PATIENTS’ USE OF COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

Abstract

Patients with B-thalassemia major require regular blood transfusions to maintain hemoglobin levels for survival. Thalaseemia patients are reported to consume number of traditional therapies to reduce the side effects due to conventional therapies and to increase their chances of survival. This study aimed to explore Thalassemia patient’s decision making for CAM via a qualitative approach. A total of 21 consented patients were recruited from Thalaseemia Society Kedah, Malaysia. Patients were from the three major ethnic groups in Malaysia namely Malay, Chinese and Indians. All interviews were conducted in Bahasa Malaysia (National language of Malaysia) and were translated into English for thematic content analysis. Nearly all patients reported to use some kind of CAM for their disease. A wide range of CAM was used by patients to reduce side effects due to conventional therapies. Data analysis revealed a total of three themes: patient’s understanding towards CAM, reasons of using or rejecting CAM and barriers to the CAM use. Patients recognize CAM as traditional ways of healing with not much scientific evidence. Those reported to use CAM were in favor to boost body’s own resources to improve hemoglobin together with conventional therapies. Lack of scientific evidence was given as major reasons of not using CAM. Fear of CAM interaction with the conventional therapies was among other few reasons of not using CAM. Slow progression of CAM modalities and cost was given as a major barrier to CAM use. In conclusion, slow progression of CAM effects and treatment cost were among the major barrier to CAM use. Further investigations are required to establish the scientific evidence on the type of CAM used by Thalaseemia patients. Patients should be advised to disclose their CAM use to their health care professionals to avoid any harmful interactions.