Herbal medicine use among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Nigeria: understanding the magnitude and predictors of use

Abstract

Background Patients with chronic diseases exploit complementary and alternative treatment options to manage their conditions better and improve well-being. Objective To determine the prevalence and predictors of herbal medicine use among Type 2 Diabetes patients in Lagos, Nigeria. Setting Secondary healthcare facilities in Lagos state, Nigeria. Method The study design was a cross sectional survey. A two-stage sampling approach was used to select the health facilities and patients were recruited consecutively to attain the sample size. Data was collected using a structured and standardized interviewer-administered questionnaire. Characteristics, prevalence and predictors of herbal medicine use were assessed using descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analyses. Main outcome measure Herbal medicine use among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Results 453 patients were surveyed, 305 (67.3%) reported herbal medicine use, among whom 108 (35.4%) used herbal and conventional medicines concurrently; 206 (67.5%) did not disclose use to their physician. Herbal medicine use was significantly associated with age (p = 0.045), educational level (p = 0.044), occupation (p = 0.013), duration of diabetes disease (p = 0.007), mode of diabetes management (p = 0.02), a positive history of diabetes (p = 0.011) and presence of diabetes complication (p = 0.033). Formulations or whole herbs of Vernonia amygdalina, Moringa oleifera, Ocimum gratissimum, Picralima nitida, and herbal mixtures were the commonest herbal medicine. Beliefs and perceptions about herbal medicine varied between the users and non-users. Conclusion The use of herbal medicine among Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Lagos, Nigeria is high. There is dire need for health care practitioners to frequently probe patients for herbal medicine use and be aware of their health behaviour and choices, with a view to manage the disease better.

Herbal medicine from the perspective of type II diabetic patients and physicians: what is the relationship?

“…Similarly, in Alrowais' cross-sectional study which was conducted in four major hospitals in Riyadh, it was reported that patients aged between 60 and 75 years were the most frequent users of herbs for diabetic management [30]. This study agrees with the findings of Ching, Amaeze and Mekuria's studies related to gender differences, which showed that women were more likely to consume herbal remedies than men [22,23,29]. In a study by Shih et al in Taiwan, patients aged 20-69 years traditional Chinese medicine use frequency was significantly higher in women than in men across all age groups.…”

“…Data revealed that two-thirds of the sample who suffer from diabetes were frequently using alternative therapies such as herbal medicine to control their glucose level and improve their health, in accordance with two previous studies conducted in Africa (Ethiopia, Nigeria) [22,23]. However, two other studies conducted in Asia (Thailand) and the Middle East (KSA and UAE) showed that less than one-third of the sample were found to be using herbal medicine [24][25][26].…”

“…Older people (aged between 46 and 60) tend to take more herbs than younger people because they are more likely to seek alternative treatment options [22]. Similarly, in Alrowais' cross-sectional study which was conducted in four major hospitals in Riyadh, it was reported that patients aged between 60 and 75 years were the most frequent users of herbs for diabetic management [30].…”

Diabetics’ Views Concerning the Safety and Efficacy of Herbal Medicines: A Qualitative Study

“…The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that about 70% to 80% of the world's population largely depends on herbal sources for their primary treatment [4]. This is in accordance with another report that traditional medicine derived from botanicals is used by 60% of the world's population [5].…”

Protective Role of Picralima nitida Seed Extract in High-Fat High-Fructose-Fed Rats

“…Picralima nitida is a medicinal plant from the genus Picralima and plant family Apocynaceae . It is found in tropical African countries such as Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Uganda, and Gabon, and it is popularly known as Abeere in the Southwestern part of Nigeria among the Yoruba people [ 20 – 22 ]. The plant is used in traditional medicine for the treatment and management of malaria, abscesses, hepatitis, pneumonia, diabetes, and hypertension [ 21 , 23 ].…”