Scholars International Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (SIJTCM)
Volume-2 | Issue-01 | 5-14
Original Research Article
Pattern of Use, perceived benefits and adverse effects of complementary and alternative medicine use among surveyed adults in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state: A nutritional perspective
Dominica. C. Opara, Victory I. Ekpin
Published : Jan. 24, 2019
Abstract
Awareness of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) has been increasing over time. The aim of this study was
to determine the Patterns of CAM use, perceived benefits and adverse effects of CAM by the users, as well as the reasons
for use. Also to estimate the monthly cost of CAM to users in the study area.A cross-sectional study design was used, and
structured questionnaire was the means of data collection. Purposive sampling was done. Three hundred respondents
(53.7% males and 46.3% females) participated in this study with 295 (98.3%) CAM-users and 5(1.7%) non-CAM users.
The relationship between CAM use and all the socio-demographic characteristics were however not significant (p>0.05).
The most popularly known CAM method was Traditional herbal medicine (95.3%) followed by vitamins (91.0%) and
spiritual healing (71.7%). Majority of the respondents believed CAM products should be encouraged (91.7%), combined
CAM with prescribed medications (55.5%) and did not inform their doctors of their CAM use (50.3%). About 34%
believed that CAM products had side effects, while 21.4% reported experiencing these side effects. The surveyed
respondents spent 5,000 -30,000 naira on CAM monthly. There is dire need for adequate regulatory policies on the
formulation, distribution and use of CAM products as its use is prevalent.