Correlates Of Complementary And Alternative Medicine Use Among Diabetes Mellitus Outpatients In Tamale Metropolis, Ghana, 2017

Abstract

Introduction: More than ever, the use of complementary and alternative medicine for the management of diabetes mellitus has become a major public health challenge. Globally, the prevalence of this practice varies from 17% to 72.8%. Even though it is common practice among diabetes mellitus patients in Ghana also, its local prevalence is unknown. However, the use of CAM among persons living with diabetes mellitus is known to be associated with some sociodemographic factors, the severity of disease, and the state of prevailing healthcare delivery systems. This study sought to assess complementary and alternative medicine use and its correlates among diabetes mellitus outpatients in the Tamale metropolis of Ghana. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted between January and April 2017 among 398 diabetes mellitus outpatients recruited from diabetic clinics of the three (3) major hospitals in the Tamale metropolis. In a face-to-face interview, participants completed a questionnaire eliciting data on their socio-demographic status, diabetes characteristics, types of complementary and alternative medicines they use, their modes of use, and associated costs. A checklist was used to review their medical records for details of diagnosis and management. Summary descriptive statistics, Chi-square test for categorical variables for associations, and multiple logistic regression were used to report results of the data. Results: A total of 398 patients were interviewed. Their ages ranged from 16 to 89 years; with an average of 57.1  13.0 years. Females were the majority 289 (72.6%). Complementary medicine use was 32.7% (130/398) among respondents and 83.8% (109/130) of these did not disclose it to their doctors. About 78% of these patients used herbal concoctions, and these costed less (GH¢ 24.77  30.59) than the orthodox therapies (GH¢ 45.01  29.58) [p = 0.0001]. Complementary and alternative medicine use was significantly predicted by: the practice of dietary modification, residence in urban centers, educational status, health insurance status, employment status, type of diabetes mellitus, and the presence of diabetes complications (p=0.001). Conclusion: Complementary and alternative medicine use was common among diabetes mellitus outpatients of Tamale metropolis. Herbal concoctions were the most patronized, and these were significantly cheaper than the orthodox therapies. The co-administration of complementary and orthodox medicines poses dangers of drug-herb interactions, and poor adherence to proven therapies. The consequence of this practice is poor glycaemic control with its attending acute and long term complications. There is the need to institute awareness programmes on complementary and alternative medicine use for both patients and healthcare practitioners; and double efforts towards an evidence-based integrated healthcare system.