Utilization of complementary and alternative medicine for the prevention of COVID-19 infection in Ghana
Date
2021
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Preventive Medicine Reports
Abstract
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) use is widespread and has played critical roles in preventing
infections, including previous coronaviruses. This study sought to document current practices in the use of CAM
for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in Ghana. An anonymous electronic survey was conducted from February
1, 2021 to April 30, 2021. Data on demographic characteristics, basic clinical information, illness perceptions
about COVID-19, and CAM use during the pandemic period were generated. While about 82.5% (986/1195) of
the participants used CAM during the COVID-19 period, 69.1% (681/986) of CAM users intented it for COVID-19
infection prevention. Vitamin supplements (88.1%, 869/986), spiritual healing/prayer (23.3%, 230/986),
mineral supplements (22.3%, 220/986), botanical/herbal medicines (22.2%, 219/986), and diet therapy (19.4%,
191/986) were the main types of CAM used. From the adjusted binary logistic regression model, current age
(aOR: 1.03, 95%CI: 1.01–1.05), sex (aOR: 1.41, 95%CI: 1.02–1.95), participants’ perceptions of consequences
(aOR: 1.10, 95%CI: 1.04–1.17), identity (aOR: 1.15, 95%CI: 1.06–1.25) and concerns about COVID-19 (aOR:
0.91, 95%CI: 0.85–0.97) were statistically significant predictors of CAM use. These results suggest the need for
appropriate public health policy on COVID-19 and CAM use in addition to directing further research initiatives
toward an optimized COVID-19 prevention scheme using clinically validated CAM treatments. Research to
validate the clinical efficacy of these products, especially the herbs, for COVID-19 prevention while isolating lead
compounds that could be optimized and used for the treatment and prevention of COVID-19 is also
recommended.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
CAM use, Coronavirus, COVID-19, Herbs, Perception, Side effects