Prevalence and Characteristics of CAM Use among People Living with HIV and AIDS in Lebanon: Implications for Patient Care

Abou-Rizk, Joana; Alameddine, Mohamad; Naja, Farah

doi:10.1155/2016/5013132

Cited by 21 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 63 publications

(92 reference statements)

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“…In line with findings of previous studies examining the use of CAM among cancer patients, this study showed that 58% of patients did not disclose CAM usage to their treating physicians [ 42 , 62 ]. When asked about the main reasons for not disclosing, patients in this study reported that CAM use does not need to be discussed with the physician.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Beirut, Lebanon

Naja

Anouti

Shatila

et al. 2017

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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Patients with lung cancer are increasingly seeking complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to improve their physiological and psychological well-being. This study aimed to assess CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon. Using a cross-sectional design, 150 lung cancer patients attending the Basile Cancer Institute at the American University of Beirut Medical Center were interviewed. Participants completed a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic characteristics, lung cancer condition, and use of CAM. The main outcome of interest was “use of any CAM therapy since diagnosis.” Prevalence of CAM use was 41%. The most commonly used CAM modality among study participants was “dietary supplements/special foods.” Results of the multiple logistic regression analyses showed that CAM use was positively associated with Lebanese nationality and paying for treatment out of pocket and was negatively associated with unemployment and having other chronic diseases. About 10% of patients used CAM on an alternative base, 58% did not disclose CAM use to their physician, and only 2% cited health professionals as influencing their choice of CAM. This study revealed a prevalent CAM use among lung cancer patients in Lebanon, with a marginal role for physicians in guiding this use. Promoting an open-communication and a patient-centered approach regarding CAM use is warranted.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Beirut, Lebanon

Naja

Anouti

Shatila

et al. 2017

Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine

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“…In another study, female gender and higher income (greater than US$250000 per year and higher literacy) [ 49 ] were associated with higher CAM usage. Education was also positively associated with CAM use [ 50 ]. This study reports higher use of CAM with secondary education compared with Primary school education.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence, patterns, and perceived value of complementary and alternative medicine among HIV patients: a descriptive study

Bahall

2017

BMC Complement Altern Med

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BackgroundUse of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread among different patient populations despite the availability of evidence-based conventional medicine and lack of supporting evidence for the claims of most CAM types. This study explored the prevalence, patterns, and perceived value of CAM among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients.MethodsThis quantitative descriptive study was conducted between November 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015 among a cross-sectional, convenience sample of attendees of the HIV clinic of a public tertiary health care institution. Face-to-face interviews using a 34-item questionnaire were conducted. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and binary logistic regression analysis.ResultsCAM was used by 113 (32.8%) of a total of 343 HIV patients, but <1% informed their health care providers of CAM usage. Medicinal herbs were the most common type of CAM used (n = 110, 97.3%) followed by spiritual therapy (n = 56, 49.6%), including faith healing/prayer and meditation. The most used medicinal herbs were Aloe vera (n = 54, 49.1%), ginger (n = 33, 30.0%), and garlic (n = 23, 20.9%). The most used vitamins were complex B vitamins (n = 70, 61.9%), followed by vitamin A (n = 58, 51.3%), vitamin E (n = 51, 45.1%), and vitamin D (n = 42, 37.1%). Most CAM users continued using conventional medicine in addition to CAM and were willing to use CAM without supervision and without informing their health care provider. Patients were generally satisfied with CAM therapy (n = 91, 80.5%). The main reasons for CAM use were the desire to take control of their treatment (8.8%) or just trying anything that could help (18.8%). Main influences were the mass media (32.7%) and non-hospital health personnel (19.5%). Predictors of CAM use were being 30–50 years, married and having a secondary school education.ConclusionAbout one-third of HIV patients used CAM, but virtually none informed their healthcare provider. Medicinal herbs were the most common type of CAM, followed by spiritual therapy and vitamins. A patient’s decision to use CAM was influenced for the most part by the mass media and non- hospital health care personnel.

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“…About one-third of Lebanese adults (29.87%) were reported to use CAM in 2015, with the most prevalent being CAM products, specifically herbal supplements 7. Higher rates of use were reported among patients with chronic diseases such as infertility (41%),27 lung cancer (41%),28 and HIV and AIDS conditions (46.6%) 29. A common finding to most of the aforementioned studies was the low rate of disclosure to the treating physicians 7 26 28 30–32.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 7 Higher rates of use were reported among patients with chronic diseases such as infertility (41%), 27 lung cancer (41%), 28 and HIV and AIDS conditions (46.6%). 29 A common finding to most of the aforementioned studies was the low rate of disclosure to the treating physicians. 7 26 28 30–32 This raised concerns about CAM safety, efficacy and impact on the patient health, especially when its use is coupled with poor regulatory frameworks.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Beliefs, practices and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding complementary and alternative medicine: national cross-sectional study in Lebanon

et al. 2019

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IntroductionPharmacists are uniquely positioned to provide patients with evidence-based information in order to ensure effective and safe use of Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) products.ObjectiveAssess beliefs, practices and knowledge related to CAM products among community pharmacists in Lebanon.Design, methods and settingUsing stratified random sampling, a nationally representative survey was conducted among community pharmacists in Lebanon. Through face-to-face interviews, pharmacists completed a multicomponent questionnaire consisting of four sections: (1) sociodemographic characteristics; (2) beliefs related to regulation of CAM products, role of media in promoting their safe use, availability of resources and continuing education; (3) practices including selling CAM products, providing advice for patients and reporting adverse effects and (4) knowledge about specific CAM products, their uses, side effects and interactions.ResultsA total of 341 pharmacists agreed to participate (response rate: 86%). Only pharmacists with complete data were included in this study (n=310). Pharmacists agreed that CAM products are effective (63.8%) and that they should be exclusively sold in pharmacies (80.3%), but disagreed that commercially marketed CAM products are well regulated (63.5%) and that media plays a positive role in educating users about these products (55.8%). As for practices, 64.5% of pharmacists were always or often advising patients on safe use; however, 74.2% of participants rarely or never reported adverse effects. Regarding knowledge, although the majority of pharmacists were aware of the uses of CAM products, fewer knew about their side effects and their interactions with drugs. After adjustment for covariates, receiving education/training on CAM products during university was the sole predictor of higher knowledge score (ß=0.68, 95% CI 0.29 to 1.07).ConclusionsThis study revealed positive beliefs of pharmacists in Lebanon towards CAM products and indicated important gaps in their practice and knowledge. Deliberate efforts to enhance the education of pharmacists are warranted to ensure the safe integration and use of CAM products in Lebanon.

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Prevalence and Characteristics of CAM Use among People Living with HIV and AIDS in Lebanon: Implications for Patient Care

Cited by 21 publications

References 63 publications

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Beirut, Lebanon

Prevalence and Correlates of Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use among Patients with Lung Cancer: A Cross‐Sectional Study in Beirut, Lebanon

Prevalence, patterns, and perceived value of complementary and alternative medicine among HIV patients: a descriptive study

Beliefs, practices and knowledge of community pharmacists regarding complementary and alternative medicine: national cross-sectional study in Lebanon

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