Mambap AT, Ukum GE, Teuwafeu DG, Maimouna M, Ashuntantang GE. Frequency, types, and factors associated with complementary and alternative medicine use among patients on maintenance haemodialysis.
BMC Complement Med Ther 2022;
22:325. [PMID:
36476616 PMCID:
PMC9727851 DOI:
10.1186/s12906-022-03815-7]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Despite progress in haemodialysis and conventional medicine approaches, many patients still struggle to maintain an acceptable quality of life and turn to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to address their unmet needs.
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to determine the prevalence, types, indications, and factors associated with CAM use by patients on maintenance haemodialysis (MHD) in Cameroon.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This was a multicentric cross-sectional study involving MHD patients in Cameroon from February 2019 to May 2019. We included all consenting participants on MHD for at least 3 months and excluded participants with cognitive and behavioral problems. Face-to-face interviews were conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 224 participants (145 males) with a mean age of 56.5 ± 14.2 years and a median haemodialysis vintage of 34.5 [IQR: 17.3-64.4] months were recruited. In all, 89.7% (n = 201) reported having used CAM before, while 71.6% (n = 144) were still using it. Biologically based therapies were the most popular (94%, n = 189), with herbal medicine (81.5%, n = 154) and Calabar chalk (52.4%, n = 99) being the most common. Physical well-being (57.2%), nausea (52%), and insomnia (42.7%) were the main indications for CAM use. Most respondents did not disclose their CAM use to their physicians (61.2%). Long haemodialysis vintage was associated with CAM use (AOR: 7.9; CI = 2.8-22.3; p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
The use of CAM is common among Cameroon's haemodialysis population, with herbal medicines and Calabar chalk being the most frequent. The high symptom burden makes CAM attractive to them. Healthcare teams should be aware of these practices, initiate an open discussion, and appropriately advise patients about dangers, risks, and safety associated with their use.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
The institutional review board of the University of Bamenda. Reference: 2019/0038H/UBa/IRB UPM/TNCPI/RMC/1.4.18.2.
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