There are a few studies that discuss the medical causes for diabetic foot (DF) ulcerations in Iraq, one of them in Wasit province. The aim of our study was to analyze the medical, therapeutic, and patient risk factors for developing DF ulcerations among diabetic patients in Baghdad, Iraq.
Objectives The purpose of this study was to assess the use, predictors and patient's seeking behaviour of complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) in hypertension and evaluate patient's perception of CAM adverse effects. Methods A cross‐sectional questionnaire‐based study was conducted among hypertensive patients from May to December 2015. A convenience sample technique was adopted to recruit patients attending two major teaching hospitals in the capital city Baghdad, Iraq. A total of 400 valid responses were obtained recording a response rate of 93.02%. Key findings The overall prevalence of CAM usage was 65.5% (n = 262). Biological‐based therapies were the most used type of CAM by 62.8% (n = 251) of patients. The use of CAM was associated with patient's educational level, marital status and duration of hypertension. The main reasons of using CAM were to support the standard treatment, decrease the symptoms of hypertension and protect the health. Monthly expenditure on CAM varied from Income in Iraqi Dinar (IQD) 10 000 to IQD 150 000 (US $8.6 to US $128.7). Users of CAM reported some unwanted effects that were associated with a certain category of it. Conclusions The use of CAM, particularly biological‐based therapies, was prevalent among hypertensive patients in Iraq. This practice was associated with patients' educational level, marital status and duration of hypertension. Patient's perception of adverse effects was noticed with different modalities of CAM. Therefore, CAM practice should be suggested only if its benefit is proven, and the side effect is controlled.
Background:The self-treatment with complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) in chronic diseases is portraying an expanding trend worldwide. Yet, little is known concerning patients’ motives to use CAM in the control of blood pressure.Objective:This study aims to explore the self-use of CAM in the management of hypertension and explore patients’ attitudes, perceived benefits, and disclosure to the physician.Materials and Methods:A qualitative technique was adopted and face-to-face interviews, using a validated interview guide, were carried out among twenty hypertensive patients. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit patients at Al-Karama Teaching Hospital in Baghdad; the capital of Iraq; from January to April 2015. All the interviews were audio-recorded, then transcribed verbatim and examined for thematic relationships.Results:Three major themes were identified through thematic content analysis of the interviews. These encompassed patients’ understanding of CAM; experience and perceived benefits; and communication with the doctors. The use of CAM was prevalent among the majority of the respondents. The most commonly used therapies were biological-based practices (herbal remedies, special diet, vitamins, and dietary supplements); traditional therapies (Al-Hijama or cupping); and to a less extent of manipulative body-based therapies (reflexology). Factors influencing the use of CAM were traditions, social relationships, religious beliefs, low-cost therapy, and safety of natural products.Conclusion:The use of CAM was common as a practice of self-treatment among hypertensive patients in Iraq. This was underpinned by the cultural effects, social relationships, religious beliefs, and the perception that natural products are effective and safe. Understanding patients’ usage of CAM is of great importance as long as patient's safety and interaction with the standard prescribed treatment are major concerns.
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