Department of Sociology, Bowen University, Iwo, Nigeria.
BMC Complement Altern Med. 2010 Jul 19;10:36. doi: 10.1186/1472-6882-10-36.
Hypertension is a common non communicable condition worldwide. In developing countries (including Nigeria), the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is common. This study investigated the frequency and factors associated with use of CAM among hypertensive subjects in an urban Nigerian community. Perspectives about the management of hypertension were obtained from CAM practitioners in the community.
Four hundred and forty hypertensive subjects in Idikan community, Ibadan, were interviewed using a semi-structured survey instrument. Association between categorical variables was tested using the chi-square test. Logistic regression analysis was done to identify independent predictor variables of CAM use, with CAM use as the outcome variable and the demographic and belief items as predictor variables. In-depth interviews were conducted with all known CAM practitioners in the community on issues relating to their beliefs, knowledge, practice and experiences in managing patients with hypertension in the community.
In the study sample, 29% used CAM in the management of their hypertension. Among those using CAM, the most common forms used were herbs (63%) and garlic (21%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that four variables were independent predictors of CAM use: being male (OR 2.58, p < 0.0001), belief in supernatural causes of hypertension (OR 2.11, p = 0.012), lack of belief that hypertension is preventable (OR 0.57, p = 0.014) and having a family history of hypertension (OR1.78, p = 0.042). Other factors such as age, educational level and occupation were not independent predictors of CAM use. Interviews with CAM practitioners revealed that they believed hypertension was caused by evil forces, stress or "too much blood in the body". They also thought they could cure hypertension but that reduced costs (compared to hospitals) was one of the reasons most of their clients consult them.
The use of CAM is common among hypertensive subjects in this urban Nigerian community. Men were more than twice as likely to use CAM and belief in supernatural causes of hypertension was the most notable belief predicting CAM use. Interviews with CAM practitioners yielded useful perspectives about the role they play in hypertension management in the community. This study adds to the small but growing literature about the use of CAM in hypertension in sub Saharan Africa. Further studies in hypertension and other non communicable disease are needed.
高血压是全球范围内常见的非传染性疾病。在发展中国家（包括尼日利亚），人们普遍使用补充和替代医学（CAM）。本研究旨在调查尼日利亚城市社区高血压患者使用 CAM 的频率和相关因素。我们还从社区内的 CAM 从业者处获得了有关高血压管理的观点。
在伊迪坎社区，我们使用半结构式调查问卷对 440 名高血压患者进行了访谈。使用卡方检验检验了分类变量之间的关联。将 CAM 的使用作为因变量，将人口统计学和信念项目作为预测变量，使用逻辑回归分析确定 CAM 使用的独立预测变量。我们对社区内所有已知的 CAM 从业者进行了深入访谈，内容涉及他们在社区中管理高血压患者的信念、知识、实践和经验。
在研究样本中，有 29%的患者使用 CAM 来治疗高血压。在使用 CAM 的患者中，最常见的形式是草药（63%）和大蒜（21%）。逻辑回归分析显示，有四个变量是 CAM 使用的独立预测因素：男性（OR 2.58，p < 0.0001）、相信高血压有超自然原因（OR 2.11，p = 0.012）、不相信高血压可以预防（OR 0.57，p = 0.014）和有高血压家族史（OR 1.78，p = 0.042）。其他因素，如年龄、教育水平和职业，不是 CAM 使用的独立预测因素。对 CAM 从业者的访谈表明，他们认为高血压是由邪恶势力、压力或“体内血液过多”引起的。他们还认为自己可以治愈高血压，但降低成本（与医院相比）是他们的大多数客户咨询他们的原因之一。
在这个尼日利亚城市社区中，高血压患者中使用 CAM 的情况很普遍。男性使用 CAM 的可能性是女性的两倍多，相信高血压有超自然原因是预测 CAM 使用的最显著的信念。对 CAM 从业者的访谈提供了有关他们在社区中治疗高血压所扮演角色的有用观点。本研究增加了撒哈拉以南非洲地区关于高血压使用 CAM 的少量但不断增长的文献。需要进一步研究高血压和其他非传染性疾病。
