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Abstract

Introduction: The study was conducted to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of Ayurveda, Unani medicines and folk medicine in comparison to the drug from the modern system (allopathy system) in rural areas of Mewat, Haryana. Materials and Methods: The study was cross-sectional questionnaire-based community survey. The 300 healthy adult male volunteers more than 18 years of age participated in the survey in city Nuh of the district Mewat after obtaining the oral consent. All the participants were literate. Main Outcome Measures: The participants were asked about the experiences with complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) medications in four different categories. Firstly; their preferences for using Ayurvedic, Unani, herbal, dietary supplements, home remedies or any other external preparation for disease. Second, whether they took the medicine by their own initiative, AYUSH doctor, Pharmacist and on recommendation of any other friend and family members. Third, perceived experiences of the medication taken as effects, side effects and do not know. Fourth, the conditions for which the medication was taken. Results: There was widespread utilization of Ayurveda (62%), Unani (74%) and other traditional therapies (76%) alternatively or complementarily for the different afflictions. The CAM was preferred by 60% of the respondents and 71% consider it to be more effective over allopathy. The majority (83%) sought the CAM treatment on family and friend's recommndations. Conclusions: The CAM therapies have more acceptability in the general public because of their perceived high safety, lesser cost and accessible to the general public. However, the health-care infrastructure for providing acceptable CAM therapy is still lacking.

A Study Assessing the Knowledge and Attitudes of Adults Towards Selected Alternative Medical Systems in a Specific Urban Community in Guwahati, Assam

“…Still more awareness about these systems is required to facilitate integrative medicine in healthcare settings. 4 Jaiswal K, Bajait C, Pimpalkhute S, et al (2015) conducted a study -A patient"s perspective on knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicine‖ in Maharashtra, India. This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire based survey including 100 patients attending out-patient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital.…”

Evaluating attitudes towards Ayurveda and Sri Lankan Indigenous Medicine (Deshiya Chikitsa) among working adults

“…A comparative study (Imran et al, 2017) conducted to evaluate the utilization of Ayurveda compared the use of modern medication by adults older than 18 (mean age 20+-2.33) of rural North India, and revealed that there was utilization of Ayurveda (62%) and traditional therapies (76%) for various afflictions. Further, it mentioned that 60% of the respondents preferred to take complementary medicine and that 71% considered complementary medicine more effective than conventional treatments, while 83% would like to recommend complementary medicine to their family and friends (Imran et al, 2017).…”