TRADITIONAL, COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE USE OF CHRONIC DISEASE PATIENTS IN A COMMUNITY POPULATION IN MYANMAR

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and associated factors of Traditional, Complementary and Alternative Medicine’s (TCAM) use of chronic disease patients in a community setting in Myanmar.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in the Kyauk Tan Township with the International Complementary and Alternative Medicine Questionnaire (I-CAM-Q).
Results: Of the 1600 participants in the survey, the overall prevalence of any TCAM use (providers, products or self-care) was 95.1% (TCAM provider= 14.6%, TCAM products=65.0%, and self-help TCAM=86.2%) in the past 12 months. For all different types of TCAM providers, TCAM products and self-help TCAM more than 90% of participants perceived the TCAM as very or somewhat helpful. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, no formal education, rural residence and having two or more chronic conditions were associated with any TCAM use.
Conclusions: TCAM use, especially TCAM products and self-help TCAM, seem to be common in Myanmar.

Keywords
Complementary medicine; Traditional medicine; Utilization; Chronic diseases; Community survey; Myanmar