|
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia
ISSN: 1394-195X
Vol. 26, No. 3, 2019, pp. 90-101
|
Bioline Code: mj19036
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
|
|
Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences, Vol. 26, No. 3, 2019, pp. 90-101
en |
Usage of Traditional and Complementary Medicine among Dengue Fever Patients in the Northeast Region of Peninsular Malaysia
Ida, Seriwati Ismail; Suhaily, Mohd Hairon; Najib, Majdi Yaacob; Alwi, Muhd Besari & Sarimah, Abdullah
Abstract
Background: The recent epidemic of dengue fever (DF) in Malaysia was alarming. The
treatment of DF remains supportive as there is no anti-viral agent or vaccine available as yet.
Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) provides an alternative option for the treatment
of DF but there is limited evidence with regard to its usage. The aim of this study was to determine
the prevalence, types and predictor factors of T&CM usage among DF patients in the northeast
region of Peninsular Malaysia.
Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of DF patients in the northeast region of
Peninsular Malaysia who had been admitted to a tertiary centre from January 2014 until December
2015. Serologically-confirmed DF patients aged 18 years and above were randomly selected.
Phone interviews were conducted to obtain information regarding the use of T&CM during
hospitalisation. Notes were made regarding the prevalence and type of T&CM used. Binary logistic
regressions were used to identify the predictor factors of T&CM usage.
Results: A total of 241 DF patients with a mean age of 36.62 (SD = 14.62) years were
included. The estimated prevalence of T&CM usage was 84.6% (95%CI: 80.1%, 89.2%). The most
common T&CM used were crab soup (85.3%), papaya leaf extract (64.2%) and isotonic drinks
(61.8%). The significant predictors for T&CM usage were age [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 0.97;
95%CI: 0.94, 0.99], tertiary education (AOR 3.86; 95%CI: 1.21, 12.32) and unemployment (AOR
2.55; 95%CI: 1.02, 6.42).
Conclusion: The prevalence of T&CM usage in our population is high. Age, tertiary
education and unemployment influence the use of T&CM.
Keywords
dengue fever; traditional and complementary medicine; crab soup; papaya leaf extract; isotonic drinks
|
|
© Copyright 2019 - Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia Alternative site location: http://www.medic.usm.my/publication/mjms/
|
|