Volume : VII, Issue : XI, November - 2017

COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE BY STROKE PATIENTS

Manju Thomas, Hatim Badruddin, Vulli Venkata Rao

Abstract :

 Background:

Complementary and alternative medicine can be defined as any intervention not prescribed by physicians, which is not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine .The reasons that people choose such therapies include positive views of complementary therapies, limitation of conventional medicines, concern about the adverse effects of conventional medicine, communication with doctors, and the increased availability of complementary therapies .

In recent years, there has been growing interest and publications in CAM for various ranges of medical conditions. Few surveys that examine CAM use in patients with stroke are available. Recognizing the increasing interest in CAM among the public, the aim of this survey was to assess stroke patients’ expectations, prevalence of use, and perceived effectiveness of CAM .

 

Objective:This study aimed at assessing and evaluating the CAM therapies used by stroke patients. The study was conducted at a hospital and at various Traditional healers’ clinics.

Methodology:

·         Study design:This was a cross sectional study

·         Study population:

In patients and out patients who came to the stroke clinics and for physiotherapy at the hospital and traditional healer’s clinics.

·         Data collection methods and tools:

This study used both observation and questionnaires to meet the objectives and there after the conclusion were drawn from the findings and recommendations made.

 

Results:

Of the 58 stroke patients who were interviewed in person, all the participants had used CAM at one time or the other in their recovery process. Eighteen patients (31.0%) reported using exercises, sixteen patients (27.6%) reported using massages, fifteen patients (25.9%) reported using Herbal Medicine, nine patients (15.5%) reported using spiritual healing (prayers) and none of the patients reported using homeopathy. Source of information about CAMwasmedia/internet (6.9%),medical professional (27.6%), religious institutions (20.7%) and friends/relatives (44.8%).

Conclusion:

This study showed a prevalence of CAM use among the population affected by stroke in Arusha Municipal, it also indicated that CAM therapies were affordable and accessible (manageable (63.8%), assisted by friend/relative (36.2%).

Keywords :

Article: Download PDF   DOI : 10.36106/ijar  

Cite This Article:

Manju Thomas, Hatim Badruddin, Vulli Venkata Rao, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE BY STROKE PATIENTS, INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH : Volume-7 | Issue-11 | November-2017

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