UTILIZATION PATTERN OF AYURVEDIC TREATMENT AMONG PATIENTS IN CHENNAI – A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Introduction: Numbers of people are turning to complementary and alternative medicine to solve their particular health problems not only in India, but also in many other nations. Ayurveda is widely accepted and practiced parallel to allopathic system of medicine. Still there is very little information on the use of Indian System of Medicine and Homeopathy (ISM&H). It is still to be understood that how the Ayurvedic medicines are utilized in Chennai. Aim of study is to assess the utilization pattern and perception of Ayurveda system of medicine among the patients undergoing Ayurveda treatment. Methods: A Descriptive study was conducted in Chennai in registered Ayurveda clinics with sample of 299 patients. Multistage sampling was done for the data collection. Data was collected by using semi-structured questionnaire. Result: 74.75% of patients have approached the Ayurveda clinic for chronic ailments.65.8 percent of patients have used the Ayurvedic service as prophylaxis during Covid -19. Patients who likely to utilize other system of medicine in addition to Ayurveda is 32.4 percent, with 18.3 percent using modern medicine. Among the rst time users, 24.4 percent of them have been familiarized of Ayurvedic medicine after the commencement of Covid-19. Conclusion: The vast majority of them thought Ayurvedic medication had beneted for pain management and female disorders. Patients believed that the system of Ayurvedic medicine has familiarized after the onset of Covid-19. Awareness about the Ayurvedic system is found to be adequate, yet the scope of the reach can be improved among general population by community based studies.