Traditional and Complementary Medicine (TCM) among Study Population with Cardiovascular Risk; use and Substitution for Conventional Medicine in Pahang, Malaysia
- Author:
Yueting Kew
;
Yuik Ling Chia
;
Su Meng Lai
;
Kim Yeong Chong
;
Xin Lun Ho
;
Da Wei Liew
;
Foong Ming Moy
;
Sharmini Selvarajah
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Traditional medicine;
Complementary medicine;
Diabetes Mellitus;
Hypertension;
Hypercholesterolaemia;
Substitution
- MeSH:
Complementary Therapies;
Medicine, Traditional
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2015;70(2):86-92
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of
morbidity and mortality in Malaysia. There is evidence of
high traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) use
among population with cardiovascular risk and there have
been anecdotal reports about substitution of conventional
medicines with TCM. We investigated the prevalence of TCM
use, treatment preference and substitution of conventional
medicines in study population with cardiovascular risk
factors in Pahang, Malaysia.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using an
interviewer-administered questionnaire in five districts of
Pahang. A total of 1250 households were chosen through
proportionate and systematic sampling. Respondents aged
18 years and above were selected.
Results: The study population with cardiovascular risk
factors who used TCM was higher than the general
population (31.7% versus 25.9%). There were no clear
preferences in using TCM by gender, age groups,
educational level and income even though other
bumiputeras showed a slight inclination towards TCM use.
Among the study population with cardiovascular risk
factors who consumed TCM, 20-30% of them were using
TCM as a substitute for their conventional medications.
Respondents from the younger age group (18-40 years)
(57.1%), highest educational level (43.2%), other
bumiputeras (38.4%) and highest income group (31.4%)
preferred the combination of both conventional and
traditional medicine.
Conclusion: TCM use among population with cardiovascular
risk factors is high. The high preference for combination
therapy of TCM and conventional medications among young
adults and the use of TCM to substitute conventional
medications show that much research is needed to provide
proven TCM therapies to avoid self-mismanagement of
cardiovascular risk in Malaysia.
- Full text:P020150724526101479360.pdf
