Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disease that causes disability and handicap with public health implications. The chronicity of the disease and its associated complications force patients to seek alternative means for permanent treatment or cure. This study assessed the prevalence and types of traditional medicine used and associated factors among adults with diabetes mellitus. This hospital-based cross-sectional study included 257 patients with DM who were undergoing routine clinics in two tertiary hospitals in Anambra State, Nigeria. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect patient-specific information. Ethical clearance was obtained, and data were analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. The mean age was 61.69 ± 8.20 years. Most respondents were Igbo (256, 99.6%) and lived in urban areas (181, 70.4%). Regarding education, 50.2% had secondary education, 99.6% were Christian (256), and 244 (94.9%) were married. The prevalence of traditional medicine use was 74.3%. The most commonly used TM type was bitter leaf (52.5%), followed by nazi (Gongrenema latifolium) at 47.1%. Family members (30.4%) and friends (28%) were the main influencers of the decision to use TM. Gender, age, diabetes duration, residence, occupation, education level, and presence of complications were significantly associated with TM use. The potency of TM is questionable; therefore, further studies involving its constituents, side effects, and beneficial effects are needed.
Ogbonnia et al. (Thu,) studied this question.