Concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines and the associated factors among the elderly with chronic diseases in Ogun State, Nigeria Utilisation concomitante de médicaments à base de plantes et de médicaments sur ordonnance et facteurs associés chez les personnes âgées atteintes de maladies chroniques dans l'État d'Ogun, au Nigéria
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Abstract
Background: Herbal medicine is a vital healthcare resource in many resource-limited countries, including Nigeria. Evidence suggests that elderly patients on prescribed orthodox medications may also be using herbal medicines. However, the extent of concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines among elderly patients in Nigeria is unknown.
Objective: This study explored the prevalence of concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines among elderly patients with chronic diseases in Ogun State, Nigeria.
Methods: This research was a cross-sectional survey using a 16-item validated questionnaire among purposively sampled ambulatory elderly patients aged > 60 years, who had been on at least one chronic medication in 6 months preceding the study. The study was conducted at two secondary healthcare facilities in Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria. The structured questionnaire explored the participants' socio-demographic, use and experience with herbal medicines, reasons for concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines, and nondisclosure of concurrent use to physicians.
Results: Of the 361 participants, more than three-quarters of the participants were aged 60-69 years (271; 75.1%), 246 (68.1%) had used herbs with prescribed medications concurrently and 330 (91.4%) did not experience bad effects after the use. The majority of the participants (279;77.3%) did not inform the doctor about the concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines.
Conclusion: Concurrent use of herbal and prescribed medicines is rife among elderly patients with chronic diseases. However, the adverse effect from such use is not pronounced. The level of participants' disclosure of concurrent herbal and prescribed medicines use to doctors is low.
Résumé
Contexte: La phytothérapie constitue une ressource essentielle de soins de santé dans de nombreux pays à ressources limitées, y compris le Nigeria. Il semblerait que les patients âgés sous traitement médicamenteux conventionnel aient également recours à la phytothérapie. Toutefois, l'ampleur de l'utilisation concomitante de médicaments à base de plantes et de médicaments prescrits chez les personnes âgées au Nigeria reste peu connue.
Objectif: Cette étude a exploré la prévalence de l'utilisation concomitante de médicaments à base de plantes et de médicaments prescrits chez les patients âgés atteints de maladies chroniques dans l'État d'Ogun, au Nigéria.
Méthodes: Cette étude transversale a utilisé un questionnaire validé de 16 items auprès d'un échantillon ciblé de patients ambulatoires âgés de 60 ans et plus, ayant suivi au moins un traitement médicamenteux chronique au cours des six mois précédant l'étude. L'étude a été menée dans deux établissements de soins de santé secondaires de l'État d'Ogun, dans le sud-ouest du Nigéria. Le questionnaire structuré portait sur les caractéristiques sociodémographiques des participants, leur consommation et leur expérience des plantes médicinales, les raisons de l'utilisation concomitante de plantes médicinales et de médicaments prescrits, ainsi que la non-divulgation de cette utilisation concomitante à leur médecin. Résultats: Parmi les 361 participants, plus des trois quarts étaient âgés de 60 à 69 ans (271 ; 75.1 %). Au total, 246 participants (68.1 %) ont déclaré utiliser des plantes médicinales en association avec des médicaments prescrits, et 330 (91.4 %) n'ont signalé aucun effet indésirable après usage. La majorité des participants (279; 77.3 %) n'ont pas informé leur médecin de cette utilisation concomitante.
Conclusion: L'utilisation concomitante de plantes médicinales et de médicaments sur ordonnance est fréquente chez les patients âgés atteints de maladies chroniques. Cependant, les effets indésirables liés à cette utilisation restent peu marqués. Le taux de divulgation de cette utilisation concomitante de plantes médicinales et de médicaments sur ordonnance à leur médecin est faible.
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