Knowledge, attitude and practice of complementary and alternative medicines for diabetes.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the current status of knowledge, attitude and practice of patients with diabetes relating to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in an Indian community, and to determine perceptions about the use of CAM and factors influencing knowledge and usage.


METHODS
Endocrine clinic of Swaroop Rani, Nehru Hospital, Allahabad, India.


METHODS
Hospital-based cross-sectional study.


METHODS
Patients with diabetes attending the clinic for the first time.


METHODS
A sample of 493 study participants selected by systematic sampling from a population of 6094 patients with diabetes.


METHODS
Age, socio-economic status, educational status, religion, family history of disease, knowledge and practice of CAM, reasons for using CAM, method of use and perceived relief.


METHODS
Normal test of proportions, chi(2) test, Kolomogorov-Smirnov test.


RESULTS
Awareness of CAM among patients was high (71%). High prevalence of CAM use was found (67.7%) among all participants, and 95% among participants aware of CAM, mostly using 'naturopathy' (97.3% among users). No significant gap (P>0.10) between knowledge and practice in different categories was observed. Desire for quick and additional relief was the most common perceived reason for using CAM (86.8%). Higher levels of education and socio-economic status were significant positive correlates of CAM use. Knowledge of CAM was gained mainly from friends and neighbours. About 30% of users adopted CAM without allopathic treatment earlier. Only 42.2% of users perceived some relief by using CAM. Lowering of blood sugar was the most common perceived relief. CAM, along with diet control and exercise, resulted in maximum degree of satisfaction (61.9%) experienced by users. No relief was experienced by 53.6% of users of 'naturopathy'.


CONCLUSIONS
Use of CAM in diabetes is highly prevalent despite high levels of disappointment after its use. In this study, we suggest the need for health education relating to CAM and self-care in diabetes. Use of CAM should be explored with patients before clinical decisions are made.
Kumar
D
D
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32-A, Chandigarh, India. dinesh_walia@rediffmail.com
Bajaj
S
S
Mehrotra
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012067:Religion; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors