Chege Irene Njeri, Okalebo Faith Apolot, Guantai Anastasia Nkatha, Karanja Simon, Derese Solomon
College of Health Sciences, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
School of Pharmacy, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.
Pan Afr Med J. 2015 Oct 1;22:90. doi: 10.11604/pamj.2015.22.90.6485. eCollection 2015.
Worldwide, plant based medicines are increasing in popularity due to perceptions of safety and efficacy. Herbalists in Kenya are widely consulted for the management of many diseases including Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). This study investigated the level of knowledge of the herbalists in management of T2DM.
Purposive sampling was used to identify 4 herbalists working in the urban areas who actively manage T2DM. Key informant interviews were used to gather data about the management of T2DM. It was analyzed using a content thematic approach.
Diverse management methods which included both pharmacological and non- pharmacological were noted. Glycemic control was assessed with the help of a glucometer. In addition, presenting signs and symptoms were key in diagnosing T2DM. The herbalists used various herbs, minerals and animals as medicinal sources. The drugs were dispensed as decoctions with excipients being added appropriately. Adverse effects were recorded. The herbalists acknowledged that patients use both herbal and allopathic medicine together. A level of record keeping was observed but patient follow-up was poor. The cost of the herbal drugs was perceived to be excessive.
Some similarities exist in the management of T2DM between allopathic and traditional medicine practitioners. Training of herbalists is required to improve the quality of care given to patients.
在全球范围内，基于植物的药物因被认为具有安全性和有效性而越来越受欢迎。在肯尼亚，草药医生在包括2型糖尿病（T2DM）在内的许多疾病的治疗方面被广泛咨询。本研究调查了草药医生在T2DM治疗方面的知识水平。
采用目的抽样法确定4名在城市地区积极治疗T2DM的草药医生。通过关键 informant 访谈收集有关T2DM治疗的数据。采用内容主题分析法进行分析。
注意到包括药理学和非药理学在内的多种治疗方法。借助血糖仪评估血糖控制情况。此外，出现的体征和症状是诊断T2DM的关键。草药医生使用各种草药、矿物质和动物作为药物来源。药物以汤剂形式配给，并适当添加辅料。记录了不良反应。草药医生承认患者同时使用草药和对抗疗法药物。观察到有一定程度的记录保存，但患者随访情况较差。人们认为草药药物的成本过高。
对抗疗法和传统医学从业者在T2DM治疗方面存在一些相似之处。需要对草药医生进行培训，以提高给予患者的护理质量。
