Proportion and associated factors of the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine exclusively in a hospital in Bangladesh
Article
| Article Title | Proportion and associated factors of the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine exclusively in a hospital in Bangladesh | 
|---|---|
| Article Category | Article | 
| Authors | Shahjalal, Md, Gow Jeff, Rahman, Md. Ashfikur, Hossain, Md. Jakir, Khan, Md. Nafiul Alam, Alam, Md. Sazzadul, Hossain, Ahmed and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam | 
| Journal Title | BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies | 
| Journal Citation | 22 (1), pp. 1-8 | 
| Article Number | 225 | 
| Number of Pages | 8 | 
| Year | 2022 | 
| Publisher | BioMed Central Ltd. | 
| Place of Publication | United Kingdom | 
| ISSN | 2662-7671 | 
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03709-8 | 
| Web Address (URL) | https://bmccomplementmedtherapies.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12906-022-03709-8 | 
| Abstract | Background: Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has played a critical role in ensuring universal access to basic health care services around the world. In Bangladesh, conventional medicine is a common approach for health care practices, yet, due to Bangladesh’s high out-of-pocket payment, millions of people utilise CAM-based healthcare services for illnesses. In Bangladesh, there is a scarcity of data on how CAM is perceived and utilised. The goal of this study was to determine the proportion and correlates of the utilisation of CAM among patients visiting a tertiary level hospital, in Bangladesh. Methods: A cross-sectional survey involving 1,183 patients who received health care from a hospital in Bangladesh was interviewed for this study. The associated factors on utilising CAM were identified using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Thirty-three percent of patients utilised CAM exclusively to treat their illnesses, whereas the rest utilised conventional medicine before CAM. Young adult patients aged 26 to 45 years (AOR = 6.26, 95% CI:3.24–12.07), patients without education (AOR = 2.99, 1.81–4.93), and married patients (AOR = 1.79, 1.08–2.97) were the most likely to be only CAM users. The most common reasons for using CAM were belief in its effectiveness, less adverse effects, affordability and lower costs. Conclusion: In Bangladesh, CAM plays a significant role in health care delivery, with high-levels of patient satisfaction and health benefits. Patients who are older and have a higher level of education are more hesitant to use CAM for their illness, yet CAM has the potential to play a significant role in reducing hospitalisation by providing high reliability and low costs. | 
| Keywords | Bangladesh; Complementary and alternative medicine; Conventional medicine | 
| ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 329999. Other biomedical and clinical sciences not elsewhere classified | 
| PubMed ID | 36028844 | 
| Byline Affiliations | North South University, Bangladesh | 
| Research Rats, Bangladesh | |
| Government Unani and Ayurvedic Medical College & Hospital, Bangladesh | |
| School of Business | |
| Centre for Health Research | |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa | |
| Khulna University, Bangladesh | |
| University of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates | |
| University of Sydney | 
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/w8q3z/proportion-and-associated-factors-of-the-utilisation-of-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-exclusively-in-a-hospital-in-bangladesh
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