Abstract
BackgroundTraditional medicine use is common amongst peoples in developing nations. Timor-Leste is no exception. However little is known about the prevalence, pattern, satisfaction with, cost or type of traditional medicine used in Timor-Leste. This study aims to describe the prevalence, nature and basic demographic factors associated with contemporary traditional medicine use in Timor-Leste.MethodsA structured interview questionnaire was administered in Tetun to 50 surgical patients, 50 internal medicine patients, 50 hospital staff and 50 hospital visitors at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Timor-Leste’s major referral hospital.Results60% of respondents reported having used traditional medicine; 32% within the last year. The greatest use was amongst surgical patients, the least amongst hospital staff. The frequency of traditional medicine use was comparable amongst all groups regardless of size of community, residence or level of education. Traditional medicine use in Timor-Leste is sufficiently common to represent part of the cultural norm. Factors described as promoting traditional medicine use included cost, limited access to other medical services and a belief that traditional medicine was free of side effects. Approximately half the patients reported using traditional medicine for their current illness and many for chronic illness in conjunction with conventional medicine. Conclusion: Traditional medicine use is common in Timor-Leste. Medical practitioners need to be cognizant of the common and potentially concomitant use of traditional medicine alongside conventional medicine when treating patients in Timor-Leste.
Highlights
Traditional medicine use is common amongst peoples in developing nations
All participants were approached and interviews conducted inside daylight hours at Hospital Nacional Guido Valadares, Dili
The commonest form of traditional medicine used was a preparation of leaves, fruits or roots consumed as a tea
Summary
Traditional medicine use is common amongst peoples in developing nations. Little is known about the prevalence, pattern, satisfaction with, cost or type of traditional medicine used in Timor-Leste. This study aims to describe the prevalence, nature and basic demographic factors associated with contemporary traditional medicine use in Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is a small country in Southeast Asia, still struggling to emerge from the aftermath of a 25-year war of resistance. As a percentage of gross domestic product Timor-Leste is currently thought to spend less on healthcare than any other country [1]. Despite government policy promoting free public healthcare the physical and socio-economic barriers to accessing medical services are substantial.
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