Utilization of Alternative Medicines among Patients Attending Alternative Hospitals

Abstract

Use of Alternative Medicine (AM) is increasing equally in both developed and developing  countries. Alternative medicine is a popular method of treatment because it is perceived as  natural, safe, and a holistic approach of healing that promotes wellness rather than just a  treatment. 

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to find out utilization of alternative  medicine among patients attending hospitals providing AM in Kathmandu. The sample size  was 210 and purposive sampling technique was used for data collection. Data was collected  by interview method from \29^th February to \29^th March7, 2016. Ethical permission was  obtained from the Institution Review Board of Institute of Medicine, alternative service  providing hospitals and respondents prior to data collection. The mean age of respondents was  45.36+ 15.49 years. Respondents with chronic health problem (74.76%), married (85.2%),  female (63.3%), from urban areas (75.2%), with higher education (31.6%) and patient with  neuromuscular problem (40.5%) were more likely to utilize alternative medicine. More than  half (51.3 %) of respondents utilized the treatment because of family tradition. Among them  (who used prescribed medicine), 39.4% were using alternative medicine at first and 75.2% of  the respondents were satisfied with Alternative Medicine. There was a statistical significance  between age of patients (p=0.004), back pain (p= 0.003), digestive problems (p=0.006),  life style modification (p=0.007), skin problems (p=0.034), and paralysis (p=0.046) with  utilization of alternative medicine. 

In conclusion, respondents used to practice alternative medicine due to family tradition for a  long time. They have strong belief that the action of alternative medicine is slow.