Self-management using crude herbs and the health-related quality of life among adult patients with hypertension living in a suburban setting of Malaysia.

Raphael Joe Joachimdass,Chirk Jenn Ng,Yang Mooi Lim,Nam Weng Sit,Annaletchumy Loganathan,Kavitha Subramaniam,Afzaninawati Suria Yusof,Chin Hai Teo,Jenny Wilkinson

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0257336

Raphael Joe Joachimdass, Chirk Jenn Ng + Show 7 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257336

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Abstract

PurposeTo determine the prevalence of crude herbs’ use in the self-management of hypertension and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with hypertension.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was performed among patients with hypertension attending a government health clinic. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle modifications, medical history and predictors of crude herbs users were obtained. The diversity of crude herbs used was assessed using a modified international complementary and alternative medicine questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) and the HRQOL was assessed using the SF36 instrument.ResultsOut of the 294 patients recruited, 52.4% were female, 41.5% were Malay and 38.8% were within the 60 to69 age category. The prevalence of crude herbs users was 30.6% and the most common herbs used were pegaga (Centella asiatica), peria (Momordica charantia) and betik (Carica papaya). Using the regression analysis, significantly higher odds of using crude herbs are noted among Malay or Indian patients who have these characteristics: attained secondary education, experienced falls or muscle pain, and had systolic blood pressure of more than 140 mmHg. There was no significant difference in HRQOL domains between the crude herb users and non-users (p>0.05).ConclusionBesides taking allopathic medications, certain patients with hypertension use crude herbs as a form of self-management. Although patients are adamant about integrating crude herbs as a form of self-management, the effects of doing so have not been properly investigated. This implies that the healthcare staff members need to communicate with the patients regarding the use of crude herbs together with conventional drugs.

Highlights

Hypertension is a major public health issue, with 1.13 billion people diagnosed with the disease worldwide in 2019 [1]
Significantly higher odds of using crude herbs are noted among Malay or Indian patients who have these characteristics: attained secondary education, experienced falls or muscle pain, and had systolic blood pressure of more than 140 mmHg
There was no significant difference in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains between the crude herb users and non-users (p>0.05)

Summary

Introduction

Hypertension is a major public health issue, with 1.13 billion people diagnosed with the disease worldwide in 2019 [1]. Based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS) conducted in Malaysia in 2019, the overall prevalence of hypertension was 30.0% showing a slight reduction from the 30.3% obtained in 2015 [3]. With this high figure, the proper management of hypertension among Malaysian patients remains a difficult task. A previous study indicated that most diagnosed patients undergo treatment for hypertension, but only one quarter of them have their blood pressure under control [4]. This could be attributed to several barriers such as non-adherence to medication, lack of counselling from physicians, and the worry of being on life-long medication [5]

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