article · South Asian Research Journal of Applied Medical Sciences
Managing type 2 diabetes typically requires lifestyle adjustments and prescribed medication. However, many individuals also turn to complementary and alternative medicine to help regulate blood sugar levels. A cross-sectional survey at the Federal Medical Centre in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria, assessed the extent of complementary and alternative medicine use among 244 adult type 2 diabetes patients. The participants, sampled systematically, had an average age of approximately 57 years, with females accounting for 59 percent of the group. The findings revealed that 40.2 percent of the surveyed patients concurrently used complementary and alternative treatments alongside their conventional diabetes medications. Because a substantial share of patients combines these therapies, further investigation is needed to clarify both the potential benefits and adverse effects of complementary therapies within diabetes care in this region.
Many people managing chronic conditions combine non-orthodox therapies with prescribed hospital medications to manage symptoms. Understanding the frequency of alternative medicine use helps healthcare professionals recognise how patients actually manage type 2 diabetes in daily life. This insight is essential for evaluating potential interactions between conventional pharmaceuticals and non-prescribed remedies, ultimately supporting safer clinical guidance and improved patient safety.
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Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with complications. Its management entails lifestyle modification and drug treatment regimen to control the disease. The use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in addition to orthodox medications is viewed by many patients as the way to achieve glycaemic control. The aim of the study was to determine the burden of complementary and alternative medicine use among diabetics at the Federal Medical Centre, (FMC), Makurdi, North Central Nigeria. The cross sectional study was conducted among 244 patients with type 2 diabetes 18 years and above through systematic random sampling method. The data was collected using a semi- structured interviewer-administered questionnaire and analysed with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23). The study found out that the mean age of the participants was 56.97 (+ 10.69) years. There were 144 females (59%) and 100 males (41%). Prevalence of the concurrent use of CAM and orthodox medicines among study participants was 40.2%. The study concluded that a significant proportion of patients receiving conventional treatment for diabetes also used CAM therapies. Thus, further research on the potential benefits and otherwise of CAM on treatment of diabetes in this environment is suggested to get a better insight into the role of CAM in diabetes management.
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DOI: 10.36346/sarjams.2025.v07i04.017
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