Prevalence and perception of herbal use among diabetic patients attending primary health center in Baghdad

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent disease worldwide carrying a burden for control, patients are deviating towards herbal use aiming for control either solely or as an adjuvant for many reasons, this study aims to dig this phenomenon. Objectives: Assess the prevalence and perception of herbal use for blood glucose control among diabetic patients. Methodology: A cross-section study is carried out among 284 diabetic patients attending a primary health center in Baghdad by directly interviewing the using a structured questionnaire that assessed their perception towards herbal use. Prevalence was calculated and association of herbal use with demographic and diabetic characteristics was assessed. Results: Users were 161 among the total 284, only 51 are regular users, 76 among the age group 40-59 years, 82 of them were men, 94 of them were of low educational level, 121 were type 2,96 believed that cinnamon a blood sugar reducer, media was the source of information among 63 of them. Conclusion: Herbal use prevalence is more than half (57%), more in type 2 diabetic patients above 40, men, non-educated, cinnamon was the most used herbs, internet and peer patients were the common source of information, herbal use association was significant with age only.