Traditional, complementary and alternative medicine use in a community population in Lao PDR

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine (TCAM) use in a community setting in a central province of Lao PDR. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community survey in 4 urban and 4 rural districts was conducted with the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q). Results: Of the 1600 participants in the survey, the overall prevalence of any TCAM use (providers, products or self-care) was 40.2% (TCAM provider= 14.8%, TCAM products=34.1%, and self-help TCAM=4.5%) in the past 12 months.The most frequently used herbal medicines were Maringa pterygosperma (12.6%), followed by Curcuma longa L. (9.4%), Curcuma xanthorrhiza (9.4%) and Centella asiatica (7.2%). Many of the TCAM products were used for the purpose of health tonic or nourishments and for a number of chronic conditions (gout, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, diabetes, asthma, cancer, migraine, mental disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders). In multivariate logistic regression, lower educational level, rural residence and having chronic conditions was associated with any TCAM use. Conclusions: TCAM use seems to be common in Lao PDR and better knowledge on the use of different TCAM modalities in this population may improve patient management.

Utilization of complementary and traditional medicine practitioners among older adults in India: results of a national survey in 2016-2017

“…In agreement with some previous studies [4,[25][26][27][28][29][30][31], this study found that in unadjusted analysis older age (≥60 years) was associated with AYUSH and THP utilization. Several studies showed that female sex was associated with TCM provider use [4,25,30], which in this study was found for AYUSH utilization but not for traditional health practitioner utilization.…”

Treatment recommendation differences for schizophrenia and major depression: a population-based study in a Vietnamese cohort

“…In Vietnam, approximately 30% of all patients receive treatment with traditional medicines [ 60 ]. Especially in the health prevention and treatment of chronical disease conditions, such as stomach and intestinal disease, Gout or musculoskeletal conditions such as a chronic backache or arthritis TVM plays an important role [ 61 ]. However, the same study assessed that only 2.1% of participants used complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of mental disorders [ 61 ].…”

“…Especially in the health prevention and treatment of chronical disease conditions, such as stomach and intestinal disease, Gout or musculoskeletal conditions such as a chronic backache or arthritis TVM plays an important role [ 61 ]. However, the same study assessed that only 2.1% of participants used complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of mental disorders [ 61 ]. However, Vietnamese patients with a major depression frequently reported pain or dizziness and patients with “Phong thấp” or “neurasthenia” in the Vietnamese context frequently displayed depressive symptoms [ 62 ].…”

“…However, traditional healthcare providers could also facilitate mental health care utilization in some cultures, if they act as an additional treatment option within the mental health system [ 68 ]. Another perspective might be that the utilization of traditional approaches represents a shortage or high barrier of adequate treatment option rather than distrust into medical psychiatry itself [ 61 , 68 ].…”

Integrating Traditional and Complementary Medicine with National Healthcare Systems for Universal Health Coverage in Asia and the Western Pacific

“…3,19 For example, Malaysia is in the process of establishing and implementing a T&CM regulatory system that reflects the diverse forms of T&CM practiced, 20 and in Cambodia reform to strengthen regulatory systems for the health workforce has led to work underway for a legal framework for traditional medicine practitioners. 32,33 Australia and New Zealand have mixed-level recognition of T&CM. 19,29 In New Zealand, attempts are being made to integrate Māori traditional medicine (as culturally appropriate).…”