A Cross-Sectional Assessment of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Use among Patients with Chronic Diseases (CDs) in Qassim, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study aims to investigate CAM use among CD patients from Qassim, Saudi Arabia and to compare CAM practice with different demographic and disease characteristics of the participants. A cross-sectional study was conducted among CD patients. During the three-months of data collection period, a total of 377 patients were approached and 208 patients participated in the study, giving a response rate of 55.17%. A p value of <0.05 was considered as significant. Among the study population, 94 (45.2%) patients were CAM users. Diabetes mellitus patients were the majority (48 (51.06%)) followed by hypertensive patients (34 (36.17%)). Spiritual therapies were the most common CAM followed by herbal products. Among CAM users, 41 (19.7%) patients reported disclosing CAM use to their health care providers. Among all the sociodemographic variables, gender (p = 0.029), marital status (p = 0.034) and education level (p = 0.047) were significantly associated with CAM use. In conclusion, the use of CAM among CD patients was relatively high in Qassim. Patients reported using CAM without disclosing to their health care providers which is a major health risk. It is critical to counsel CD patients regarding rational and informed CAM use in order to prevent harmful and unwanted effects.

Perspective of Adults in Saudi Arabia Toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This is consistent with other studies showing females were more likely to use CAM [21,[23][24][25]. Also, other studies have shown that higher education might be associated with CAM use [18,21]. Nevertheless, in one qualitative study, the education level of parents was not associated with use of CHA for their children [17].…”

“…This suggests that most of the participants from KSA are aware enough not to use CAM interventions without an appropriate consultation. A few studies reported that almost half of CAM users consulted with or disclosed to physicians about the use of CAM [19][20][21]. Unwillingness to stop using CAM was one of the most common reasons for non-disclosure [21].…”

“…A few studies reported that almost half of CAM users consulted with or disclosed to physicians about the use of CAM [19][20][21]. Unwillingness to stop using CAM was one of the most common reasons for non-disclosure [21]. Another study showed that most of the participants believed that CAM should not be used without a medical consultation [22].…”

“…This is predictable since the social network is a primary source of information, and people mostly trust what they learn from their family members. Similarly, a couple of studies reported that friends and family members were sources of information about CAM for ASD and other conditions [21,22].…”

Use of alternative medicine among hypertensive patients in Saudi Arabia

“…In the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia, spiritual therapies (26.59%) were the most common CAM used among hypertensive patients followed by herbal products (15.95%). In general, between 8% and 76% of Saudi Arabians have been reported use H (Farooqui et al, 2022). In Asir region, honey and olive oil were most frequently used (78.7%), followed by herbs (47.8%) (Dalia et al, 2021) The majority of participants mostly turned to their relatives and friends for information.…”