title: Prevalence and modes of complementary and alternative medicine use among peasant farmers with musculoskeletal pain in a rural community in South-Western Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anecdotally, use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) for Musculoskeletal Pain (MSP) is common in Nigeria; however, there seems to be a dearth of empirical data on its prevalence and mode of use. This study investigated the prevalence and modes of use of CAM for MSP among farmers in a rural community in South-western Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional survey employed multistage sampling technique guidelines for conducting community survey by the World Health Organization among rural community farmers in Gudugbu village, Oyo State, Nigeria. A questionnaire developed from previous studies and validated by expert reviews was used to assess prevalence and modes of CAM use. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 230 consenting rural farmers volunteered for this study with a valid response rate of 93.9 % (n = 216). The lifetime, 12-month and point prevalence of CAM for MSP was 96.8 % respectively. Herbal therapy and massage were the predominant types of CAM therapies among previous (83.8 and 80.1 %) and current CAM users (37.5 and 37.5 %). CAM was largely used as sole therapy for MSP (75.5 %) and also in combination with orthodox medicine (23.6 %), and it is consumed on daily basis (21.8 %). CAM was perceived to be very good in maintaining a healthy life (87.1 %) and has less side effects (74 %) and more healthy than taking doctors' prescriptions (63.4 %).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high prevalence of CAM among Nigerian rural farmers. The most commonly employed CAM for MSP were herbal remedies and massage which are attributable to beliefs on their perceived efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. doziembada@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Chidozie Emmanuel
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Mbada
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. lukmanadeyemi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Tijani Lukman
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Adeyemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. radedoyi@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Rufus Adesoji
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Adedoyin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. hbadmus@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Hakeem David
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Badmus
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. tidebet@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Taofeek Oluwole
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Awotidebe
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. olujide_arije@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olujide Olusesan
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Arije
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile - Ife, Nigeria. davfemsinc@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olorunfemi Sunday
authors.initials: OS
authors.lastname: Omotosho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000383:Agriculture; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D000067565:Farmers; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008405:Massage / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000628:therapy*; D009549:Nigeria; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires