Abstract:
bstract
Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients are increasingly using herbal remedies due to the fact that
sticking to the therapeutic regimens is becoming awkward. However, studies towards herbal medicine use by
diabetic patients is scarce in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to explore the prevalence and
correlates of herbal medicine use with different sociodemographic variables among type 2 diabetes patients visiting
the diabetic follow-up clinic of University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital (UOGCSH), Ethiopia.
Methods: A hospital-based cross sectional study was employed on 387 T2DM patients visiting the diabetes illness
follow-up care clinic of UOGCSH from October 1 to November 30, 2016. An interviewer-administered questionnaire
regarding the demographic and disease characteristics as well as herbal medicine use was completed by the study
subjects. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate logistic regression statistics were performed to determine
prevalence and come up with correlates of herbal medicine use.
Results: From 387 participants, 62% were reported to be herbal medicine users. The most prevalent herbal
preparations used were Garlic (Allium sativum L.) (41.7%), Giesilla (Caylusea abyssinica (fresen.) (39.6%), Tinjute
(Otostegia integrifolia Benth) (27.2%), and Kosso (Hagenia abyssinicaa) (26.9%). Most of herbal medicine users (87.1%)
didn’t consult their physicians about their herbal medicine use. Families and friends (51.9%) were the frontline
sources of information about herbal medicine followed by other DM patients who used herbal medicines (28.9%).
Conclusions: The present study revealed a high rate of herbal medicine use along with a very low rate use
disclosure to the health care professionals. Higher educational status, a family history of DM, duration of T2DM and
presence of DM complications were identified to be strong predictors of herbal medicine use. From the stand point
of high prevalence and low disclosure rate, it is imperative for health care providers to strongly consult patients
regarding herbal medicine use.
Keywords: Herbal medicine, Diabetes, Gondar, Ethiopi
