Prevalence and profile of herbal medicine use in persons with diabetes and hypertension: data from the Barbados risk factor survey 2007

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This paper seeks to determine the prevalence of herbal medicine use in persons with diabetes and hypertension; and to identify the demographic and socioeconomic profile of persons using such therapies. DESIGN AND METHODS: Secondary data analysis was done using the Barbados Behaviour Risk Factor Survey 2007. The prevalence of herbal medicine use was determined. Crude and adjusted odds ratios were generated for the relationship between these outcomes and age, sex, employment status; marital status; educational level and ethnicity. RESULTS: Herbal use was found to be 7.4% (2.9% to 11.9%) among diabetics, 4.5% (2.3% to 6.7%) among hypertensive persons, and 5.5% (3.2% to 7.8%) among all persons who were either diabetic and or hypertensive. A statistically significant association was seen between herbal use and age only (age 60 years and over compared to age < 60 years adjusted OR 4.0 95%CI 1.3 to 12.3). CONCLUSIONS: Though older persons were more likely to use herbal medicines, this study suggests a rather low prevalence of such practices. A more comprehensive assessment of socioeconomic status and of herbal medicine use is warranted.