Utilization of Complementary Medicine by Pediatric Neurology Patients and Their Families in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

IntroductionComplementary medicine (CM) consumption is a common practice worldwide. The objective of this study is to find the prevalence of parents visiting the neurology clinic who utilize CM to treat their children. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study that was done at King Abdullah Specialized Children Hospital (KASCH), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia between 2018 and 2019. By using a self-administered questionnaire, data were collected to recognize the prevalence of using CM and to identify the commonest type or method. ResultsA total of 352 parents were given the questionnaire. The prevalence of CM usage among participant was 42%, the most common type of CM was Quran recitation at 66%, followed by herbal medicine at 30% and cautery at 26%. ConclusionAlmost half of the parents who visited the neurology clinic at KASCH have used complementary medicine for their children, and nearly three-quarters of the parents who never used CM have thought about using it. Therefore, CM is common in the Saudi Arabian culture.

Attitudes Towards Complementary and Alternative Medicine Among Pediatricians in Saudi Arabia

“…The present online questionnaire-based survey among pediatricians in Saudi Arabia found that a large number of Saudi pediatricians have a slightly negative attitude towards the use of CAM. Despite nearly half of the participants acknowledging the importance of learning CAM for pediatricians and the frequent use of CAM by Saudi parents [4,18], a relatively high number of pediatricians were not in favor of using CAM for the pediatric population with end-stage or chronic disease. This finding is interesting for two reasons: 1) as reported in the literature, the use of CAM by parents is mostly driven by factors such as children's age less than one year, low parent education, neurological or chronic disease, and a family history of CAM use and religion [4,18], which may not be the case with pediatricians because their routine practice is largely based on scientific evidence, and 2) another possible reason could be the knowledge deficit regarding CAM; pediatricians may have little knowledge, which is gathered through their own family experience or by encountering a patient narrating the use of CAM.…”

“…The paper included techniques like questioning about types of treatments being used by parents, keeping in mind their value and belief systems, working together through active listening of parents. These strategies laid by the AAP are pertinent to Saudi pediatricians, as the use of CAM is very rampant among Saudi parents [4,18].…”

“…The forms of CAM used are widely different among the populations. For example, herbal remedies, acupuncture, therapeutic massage, special exercises, homeopathy, phototherapy, traditional Chinese medicine, nutritional supplements, and megadose vitamins are commonly used in American and European countries [4][5][6]. In Saudi Arabia, the most common forms used are prayers, the Holy Quran recitation, Zamzam water, cupping (Hijama), acupuncture, Nigella sativa (black seed), herbs, honey and other dietary products, and camel milk and urine [7][8].…”

“…The overall median self-reported CAM knowledge score was statistically higher for males in comparison with females [3 (IQR 1-5)] versus 2 (IQR 2-4), P = 0.030]. Also for nationality, median scores were significantly greater for the Riyadh region in contrast to other regions [3][4][5]] versus 2 (IQR 1-4), P = 0.041]. There was a significant difference in median scores for qualification of participants (P = 0.002).…”

Respect for Religiosity: Review of Faith Integration in Health and Wellbeing Interventions with Muslim Minorities

“…Religious practices that include reciting the Quran, praying, fasting, and forms of Islamic meditation (dhikr) have been shown to relieve stress, improve health, increase productivity, and enhance quality of life (Al Haq et al 2016;Munsoor and Munsoor 2017). An interesting study by Al-Rumayyan et al (2020) exemplified Quran recitation as the most preferred type of complementary medicine among Muslims. Illueca and Doolittle (2020) reported that praying was an effective supplementary intervention for religious patients who experienced surgical pain.…”