The use of complementary and alternative medicine by patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain: a cross-sectional study
Open Access
- 14 July 2010
- journal article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine
- Vol. 10 (1), 35
- https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6882-10-35
Abstract
CAM use is widespread, especially among patients with diabetes. The Gulf States have a high prevalence of diabetes, alongside a long tradition of CAM use. The aim of this study is to establish the prevalence of CAM use among patients with diabetes mellitus in Bahrain and to examine the characteristics of the CAM users. A questionnaire was developed and administered to a convenience sample of patients with diabetes (n = 402) above the age of 20 attending two hospital diabetes clinics. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests of association. 63% of responders utilized CAM within the previous 12 months. CAM users were more likely to be female, to have had diabetes for longer and to have complications of their diabetes. 64% of CAM users stated that they had used CAM for managing their diabetic condition, with 46% of these having used it solely for their diabetes. Respondents using CAM to manage their diabetes were more likely to be male, to be using CAM on a daily basis and to have informed their physician of their CAM use. There is a high rate of CAM use in patients with diabetes attending two hospital diabetes clinics in Bahrain. There is also a high rate of non-disclosure of CAM use to physicians. There is a continuing need for health professionals to be more aware and better trained in order to inform their decision making and communication related to CAM use.Keywords
This publication has 13 references indexed in Scilit:
- Use of complementary and alternative medicine among people living with diabetes: literature reviewJournal of Advanced Nursing, 2007
- Complementary and alternative medicine use among adults with diabetes in the United States.2006
- Knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicines for diabetesPublic Health, 2006
- Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use as Health Self-Management: Rural Older Adults With DiabetesThe Journals of Gerontology, Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 2006
- Usage of and cost of complementary/alternative medicine in diabetic patients.2005
- The advantages and disadvantages of a ‘herbal’ medicine in a patient with diabetes mellitus: a case reportDiabetic Medicine, 2004
- Prevalence and Predictors of Complementary Medicine Usage in Diabetes: Fremantle Diabetes StudyJournal of Pharmacy Practice and Research, 2003
- Patterns of belief and use of traditional remedies by diabetic patients in Mecca, Saudi ArabiaEastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 2003
- Trends in Alternative Medicine Use in the United States, 1990-1997Jama-Journal Of The American Medical Association, 1998
- Diabetes and Alternative Medicine: Cause for ConcernDiabetic Medicine, 1994