Prevalence and determinants of using complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of chronic illnesses: A multicenter study in Bangladesh

Article


Shahjalal, Md., Kishor, Samar, Ahmed, Tanvi, Yasmin, Irin, Mahumud, Rashidul Alam and HossainI, Ahmed. 2022. "Prevalence and determinants of using complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of chronic illnesses: A multicenter study in Bangladesh." PLoS One. 17 (1). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262221
Article Title

Prevalence and determinants of using complementary and alternative medicine for the treatment of chronic illnesses: A multicenter study in Bangladesh

ERA Journal ID39745
Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsShahjalal, Md., Kishor, Samar, Ahmed, Tanvi, Yasmin, Irin, Mahumud, Rashidul Alam and HossainI, Ahmed
Journal TitlePLoS One
Journal Citation17 (1)
Article Numbere0262221
Number of Pages13
Year2022
PublisherPublic Library of Science (PLoS)
Place of PublicationUnited States
ISSN1932-6203
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0262221
Web Address (URL)https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0262221
Abstract

Background
While conventional medicine (CM) is commonly used to treat non-communicable diseases (NCDs), complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is gaining popularity as a healthcare option in Bangladesh. We aimed to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with using CAM solely and using CAM in conjunction with CM for chronic illness treatment among NCD patients in Bangladesh.

Methods
A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted, including 549 adults with a confirmed chronic illness diagnosis from three tertiary care hospitals in Dhaka city. Interviews were used to gather socio-demographic data, while medical records were used to get information on chronic illnesses. A multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the associated factors of utilizing CAM primarily and CAM use in conjunction with CM to manage the chronic disease.

Results
Out of 549 NCD patients (282 women [51.4%], mean [standard deviation] age 45.4 [12.8] years), 180 (32.8%) ever used CAM for the treatment of chronic illness. Also, 15.3% of patients exclusively used CAM among the NCD patients, while 17.5% used CAM in conjunction with CM. Homeopathy medicine was the most prevalent type of treatment among CAM users (52.2%). Furthermore, 55.5% of CAM users said they used it due to its less adverse effects, and 41.6% trusted its effectiveness for chronic illness. Elderly patients (≥60 years) preferred CAM in complementary with CM, but they did not rely only on CAM. According to the multinomial regression analysis, unmarried patients, predominantly in the younger age group, adopted CAM significantly for chronic illness treatment (Relative risk ratio, RRR = 0.29, 95% CI = 0.12–0.71, reference = Unmarried). Patients in the high-income group used CAM in conjunction with CM (RRR = 6.26, 95% CI = 1.35–18.90, reference: low-income), whereas patients in the high-income group did not rely on CAM alone (RRR = 0.99, 95% CI = 0.34–2.85).

Conclusion
Although CM remains the mainstream of health care in Bangladesh, CAM services play an essential role in people’s health care, particularly in treating chronic illnesses. Physicians of Bangladesh should be aware that their patients may be using other services and be prepared to ask and answer questions regarding the risks and benefits of using CAM in addition to regular medical care. Thus, clinicians required to follow best-practice guidelines, which are currently not practiced in Bangladesh, when disseminating information regarding integrative techniques that combine CM and CAM approaches.

Keywordschronic illnesses; multicenter ; alternative medicine
Byline AffiliationsNorth South University, Bangladesh
Research Rats, Bangladesh
University of Sydney
School of Business
Centre for Health Research
Permalink -

https://research.usq.edu.au/item/z02v1/prevalence-and-determinants-of-using-complementary-and-alternative-medicine-for-the-treatment-of-chronic-illnesses-a-multicenter-study-in-bangladesh

Download files


Published Version
journal.pone.0262221.pdf
License: CC BY 4.0
File access level: Anyone

  • 55
    total views
  • 38
    total downloads
  • 2
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month

Export as

Related outputs

Common molecular and pathophysiological underpinnings of delirium and Alzheimer’s disease: Molecular signatures and therapeutic indications
Mosharaf, Md Parvez, Alam, Khorshed, Gow, Jeff, Mahumud, Rashidul Alam and Mollah, Md Nurul Haque. 2024. "Common molecular and pathophysiological underpinnings of delirium and Alzheimer’s disease: Molecular signatures and therapeutic indications." BMC Geriatrics. 24. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-024-05289-3
Accumulating the key proteomic signatures associated with delirium: Evidence from systematic review
Mosharaf, P., Alam, K., Gow, J. and Mahumud, R.A.. 2024. "Accumulating the key proteomic signatures associated with delirium: Evidence from systematic review." PLoS One. 19 (12), pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0309827
Economic Burden of Healthcare Services on Cancer Survivors in Bangladesh
Shahjalal, Md., Dahal, Padam Kanta, Mosharaf, Md. Parvez, Alam, M.M., Hawlader, Mohammad Delwer Hossain and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2024. "Economic Burden of Healthcare Services on Cancer Survivors in Bangladesh." Cancer Reports. 7 (8). https://doi.org/10.1002/cnr2.2144
Systemic therapy and radiotherapy related complications and subsequent hospitalisation rates: a systematic review
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Shahjalal, Md., Daha, Padam Kanta, Mosharaf, Md. Parvez, Hoque, Mohammad Enamul and Wawryk, Olivia. 2024. "Systemic therapy and radiotherapy related complications and subsequent hospitalisation rates: a systematic review." BMC Cancer. 24 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-024-12560-8
Exploration of key drug target proteins highlighting their related regulatory molecules, functional pathways and drug candidates associated with delirium: evidence from meta-data analyses
Mosharaf, Md Parvez, Alam, Khorshed, Gow, Jeff and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2023. "Exploration of key drug target proteins highlighting their related regulatory molecules, functional pathways and drug candidates associated with delirium: evidence from meta-data analyses." BMC Geriatrics. 23. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-023-04457-1
Parental role and peer support in adolescent suicidal behavior in eight South-East Asian countries
Sultana, Moomtahin, Gow, Jeff, Mosharof, Parvez, Rahman, Habibur, Koly, Kamrun N., Rahman, Md Ashfikur, Huq, Nafisa, Rawal, Lal B., Kumar, Manasi and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2023. "Parental role and peer support in adolescent suicidal behavior in eight South-East Asian countries." Journal of Affective Disorders. 332, pp. 221-230. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.03.092
Effect of workplace violence on health workers injuries and workplace absenteeism in Bangladesh
Shahjalal, Md., Mosharaf, Md. Parvez and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2023. "Effect of workplace violence on health workers injuries and workplace absenteeism in Bangladesh." Global Health Research and Policy. 8 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41256-023-00316-z
Psychosocial health of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a nationwide survey in Bangladesh
Koly, Kamrun Nahar, Islam, Md. Saiful, Potenza, Marc N., Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Islam, Md. Shefatul, Uddin, Md. Salim, Sarwa, Md. Afzal Hossain, Begum, Farzana and Reidpath, Daniel D.. 2023. "Psychosocial health of school-going adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from a nationwide survey in Bangladesh." PLoS One. 18 (3). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0283374
Variations in COVID-19 interventions: A systematic review and meta-ethnography of government policy responses and characteristics in eastern Africa
Kamara, Joseph K., Mahumud, Rashidul A., Hounsell, Benjamin and Renzaho, Andre MN.. 2023. "Variations in COVID-19 interventions: A systematic review and meta-ethnography of government policy responses and characteristics in eastern Africa." International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijdrr.2023.103909
Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Stigma Among HealthCare Workers Toward the Development of a Stigma-Reduction Strategy: A Scoping Review
Aranas, Lolita Liboon, Alam, Khorshed, Gyawali, Prajwal and Mahumud, Rashidul Mahumud. 2023. "Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Stigma Among HealthCare Workers Toward the Development of a Stigma-Reduction Strategy: A Scoping Review." Inquiry: the Journal of Health Care Organization Provision and Financing. 60, pp. 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1177/00469580231180754
The burden of chronic diseases, disease-stratified exploration and gender-differentiated healthcare utilisation among patients in Bangladesh
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Gow, Jeff, Mosharaf, Md Parvez, Kundu, Satyajit, Rahman, Md Ashfikur, Dukhi, Natisha, Shahajalal, Md, Mistry, Sabuj Kanti and Alam, Khorshed. 2023. "The burden of chronic diseases, disease-stratified exploration and gender-differentiated healthcare utilisation among patients in Bangladesh." PLoS One. 18 (5). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0284117
Examining Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Stigma Among Health Care Workers Toward the Development of a Stigma-Reduction Intervention: Protocol for a Scoping Review
Aranas, Lolita Liboon, Alam, Khorshed, Gyawali, Prajwal and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2023. "Examining Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Stigma Among Health Care Workers Toward the Development of a Stigma-Reduction Intervention: Protocol for a Scoping Review ." JMIR Research Protocols. 12, p. e43084. https://doi.org/10.2196/43084
The global and regional burden of sexual behaviors and food insecurity and their combined association on the magnitude of suicidal behaviors among 121,248 adolescent girls: An international observational study in 67 low- and middle-income and high-income countries
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Rahman, Md. Ashfikur, Gow, Jeff, Kamara, Joseph Kihika, Koly, Kamrun Nahar, Shahjalal, Md, Law, Chi Kim, Hossain, Md. Golam and Renzaho, Andre M. N.. 2022. "The global and regional burden of sexual behaviors and food insecurity and their combined association on the magnitude of suicidal behaviors among 121,248 adolescent girls: An international observational study in 67 low- and middle-income and high-income countries." Journal of Affective Disorders. 298 (Part A), pp. 481-491. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2021.11.023
Workplace Violence Among Health Care Professionals in Public and Private Health Facilities in Bangladesh
Shahjalal, Md., Gow, Jeff, Alam, Mohammad M., Ahmed, Tanvir, Chakma, Samar K., Mohsin, Faroque M., Hawlader, Mohammad D. H. and Mahumud, Rashidul A.. 2021. "Workplace Violence Among Health Care Professionals in Public and Private Health Facilities in Bangladesh." International Journal of Public Health. 66, pp. 1-9. https://doi.org/10.3389/ijph.2021.1604396
Trends and Impact Factors of Mental Health Service Utilization among Resettled Humanitarian Migrants in Australia: Findings from the BNLA Cohort Study
Zheng, Meng, Chen, Feng, Pan, Yan, Kong, Di, Renzaho, Andre M. N., Sahle, Berhe W., Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Ling, Li and Chen, Wen. 2022. "Trends and Impact Factors of Mental Health Service Utilization among Resettled Humanitarian Migrants in Australia: Findings from the BNLA Cohort Study ." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 19 (16). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610119
The risk and protective factors for suicidal burden among 251,763 school-based adolescents in 77 low- and middle-income to high-income countries: assessing global, regional, and national variations – Corrigendum
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Dawson, Angela J., Chen, Wen, Biswas, Tuhin, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Morton, Rachael Lisa and Renzaho, Andre M.N.. 2022. "The risk and protective factors for suicidal burden among 251,763 school-based adolescents in 77 low- and middle-income to high-income countries: assessing global, regional, and national variations – Corrigendum." Psychological Medicine. 52 (2), pp. 400-400. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721003858
The risk and protective factors for suicidal burden among 251 763 school-based adolescents in 77 low- and middle-income to high-income countries: Assessing global, regional and national variations
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Dawson, Angela J., Chen, Wen, Biswas, Tuhin, Keramat, Syed Afroz, Morton, Rachael Lisa and Renzaho, Andre M.N.. 2022. "The risk and protective factors for suicidal burden among 251 763 school-based adolescents in 77 low- and middle-income to high-income countries: Assessing global, regional and national variations." Psychological Medicine. 52 (2), pp. 379-397. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291721002774
The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis
Mahumud, Rashidul A., Uprety, Sophiya, Wali, Nidhi, Renzaho, Andre M. N. and Chitekwe, Stanley. 2022. "The effectiveness of interventions on nutrition social behaviour change communication in improving child nutritional status within the first 1000 days: Evidence from a systematic review and meta-analysis." Maternal and Child Nutrition. 18 (1). https://doi.org/10.1111/mcn.13286
Variation in the prevalence of different forms of bullying victimisation among adolescents and their associations with family, peer and school connectedness: a population-based study in 40 lower and middle income to high-income countries (LMIC-HICs)
Biswas, Tuhin, Thomas, Hannah J., Scott, James G., Munir, Kerim, Baxter, Janeen, Huda, M. Mamun, Renzaho, Andre M.N., Cross, Donna, Ahmed, Helal Uddin, Mahumud, Rashidul Alam and Al Mamun, Abdullah. 2022. "Variation in the prevalence of different forms of bullying victimisation among adolescents and their associations with family, peer and school connectedness: a population-based study in 40 lower and middle income to high-income countries (LMIC-HICs)." Journal of Child and Adolescent Trauma. 15 (4), pp. 1029-1039. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40653-022-00451-8
Disclosing Potential Key Genes, Therapeutic Targets and Agents for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evidence from Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis
Mosharaf, Md. Parvez, Reza, Md. Selim, Gov, Esra, Mahumud, Rashidul Alam and Mollah, Md. Nurul Haque. 2022. "Disclosing Potential Key Genes, Therapeutic Targets and Agents for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Evidence from Integrative Bioinformatics Analysis." Vaccines. 10 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines10050771
Proportion and associated factors of the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine exclusively in a hospital in Bangladesh
Shahjalal, Md, Gow Jeff, Rahman, Md. Ashfikur, Hossain, Md. Jakir, Khan, Md. Nafiul Alam, Alam, Md. Sazzadul, Hossain, Ahmed and Mahumud, Rashidul Alam. 2022. "Proportion and associated factors of the utilisation of complementary and alternative medicine exclusively in a hospital in Bangladesh ." BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies. 22 (1), pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-022-03709-8
Correction: Emerging cancer incidence, mortality, hospitalisation and associated burden among Australian cancer patients, 1982 – 2014: an incidence-based approach in terms of trends, determinants and inequality
Mahumud, Rashidul Alam, Alam, Khorshed, Dunn, Jeff and Gow, Jeff. 2020. "Correction: Emerging cancer incidence, mortality, hospitalisation and associated burden among Australian cancer patients, 1982 – 2014: an incidence-based approach in terms of trends, determinants and inequality ." BMJ Open. 10 (1). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-031874corr1