Health profile and Quality of Life before and after Hijama: A population–based cross–sectional study in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Muatasim Noorelahi; Abdulrahman Badawi; Khaled Kasim; Hany M. Abo Haded

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2016

Health profile and Quality of Life before and after Hijama: A population–based cross–sectional study in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Muatasim Noorelahi, Abdulrahman Badawi, Khaled Kasim, Hany M. Abo Haded

Abstract :

Background: Cupping therapy (Hijama) is a conventional treatment method used for the treatment of many diseases in several contemporary societies. Despite its common use, little is known about its impact on health profile and quality of life (QoL), particularly in our region. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the health profile and quality of life before and after Hijama in Madinah City, Saudi Arabia. Subjects and Methods: A population–based cross–sectional study was implemented. A total of 359 subjects (175 males and 184 females) experienced Hijama in the previous three years in Madinah city, Saudi Arabia were included in the study analysis. A predesigned valid questionnaire was developed using the WHO–QoL assessment, short–term SF–36 Health Survey and the International QoL Assessment (IQOLA). Results: The mean age of the studied subjects was 40.4 � 12.7 years with an equal proportion of males and females. More than 90% of Hijama was of wet cupping type, with recorded very low complications (5.3%). About 80% reported an improvement of their health after Hijama, mainly among females (p= 0.002), with a higher percentage of improvement was found in physical health, mood and behavior. However, males show significant long–term improvement (> 6 months) compared to females (p= 0.04). Conclusion: Cupping therapy, particularly wet type, was associated with an improvement of health in general with a few associated complications. There are need to increase and authorize cupping clinics in Madinah City, and to conduct more studies to address the long–term effect of cupping therapy and the underlying mechanisms.