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Self-management using crude herbs and the health-related quality of life among adult patients with hypertension living in a suburban setting of Malaysia
Journal
PLOS ONE
ISSN
1932-6203
Date Issued
2021-09-10
Author(s)
Raphael Joe Joachimdass
Kavitha Subramaniam
Nam Weng Sit
Chin Hai Teo
Chirk Jenn Ng
Afzaninawati Suria Yusof
Editor(s)
Jenny Wilkinson
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0257336
Abstract
<jats:sec id="sec001">
<jats:title>Purpose</jats:title>
<jats:p>To determine the prevalence of crude herbs’ use in the self-management of hypertension and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with hypertension.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec002">
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>This cross-sectional study was performed among patients with hypertension attending a government health clinic. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle modifications, medical history and predictors of crude herbs users were obtained. The diversity of crude herbs used was assessed using a modified international complementary and alternative medicine questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) and the HRQOL was assessed using the SF36 instrument.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec003">
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>Out of the 294 patients recruited, 52.4% were female, 41.5% were Malay and 38.8% were within the 60 to69 age category. The prevalence of crude herbs users was 30.6% and the most common herbs used were pegaga (<jats:italic>Centella asiatica)</jats:italic>, peria (<jats:italic>Momordica charantia)</jats:italic> and betik (<jats:italic>Carica papaya)</jats:italic>. Using the regression analysis, significantly higher odds of using crude herbs are noted among Malay or Indian patients who have these characteristics: attained secondary education, experienced falls or muscle pain, and had systolic blood pressure of more than 140 mmHg. There was no significant difference in HRQOL domains between the crude herb users and non-users (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>>0.05).</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec004">
<jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title>
<jats:p>Besides taking allopathic medications, certain patients with hypertension use crude herbs as a form of self-management. Although patients are adamant about integrating crude herbs as a form of self-management, the effects of doing so have not been properly investigated. This implies that the healthcare staff members need to communicate with the patients regarding the use of crude herbs together with conventional drugs.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:title>Purpose</jats:title>
<jats:p>To determine the prevalence of crude herbs’ use in the self-management of hypertension and the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with hypertension.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec002">
<jats:title>Methods</jats:title>
<jats:p>This cross-sectional study was performed among patients with hypertension attending a government health clinic. Socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle modifications, medical history and predictors of crude herbs users were obtained. The diversity of crude herbs used was assessed using a modified international complementary and alternative medicine questionnaire (I-CAM-Q) and the HRQOL was assessed using the SF36 instrument.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec003">
<jats:title>Results</jats:title>
<jats:p>Out of the 294 patients recruited, 52.4% were female, 41.5% were Malay and 38.8% were within the 60 to69 age category. The prevalence of crude herbs users was 30.6% and the most common herbs used were pegaga (<jats:italic>Centella asiatica)</jats:italic>, peria (<jats:italic>Momordica charantia)</jats:italic> and betik (<jats:italic>Carica papaya)</jats:italic>. Using the regression analysis, significantly higher odds of using crude herbs are noted among Malay or Indian patients who have these characteristics: attained secondary education, experienced falls or muscle pain, and had systolic blood pressure of more than 140 mmHg. There was no significant difference in HRQOL domains between the crude herb users and non-users (<jats:italic>p</jats:italic>>0.05).</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec004">
<jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title>
<jats:p>Besides taking allopathic medications, certain patients with hypertension use crude herbs as a form of self-management. Although patients are adamant about integrating crude herbs as a form of self-management, the effects of doing so have not been properly investigated. This implies that the healthcare staff members need to communicate with the patients regarding the use of crude herbs together with conventional drugs.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
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